KABATAAN Party-list Rep. Raoul Manuel on Wednesday filed a resolution calling for the restoration of cuts in the proposed budget of State Universities and Colleges next year.

He also sought the allocation in the 2023 National Expenditure Program funds crucial for the safe reopening of schools.

“Cuts in operating costs will adversely impact the capacity of SUCs to safely reopen their campuses for full face-to-face classes amid the Covid19 pandemic. SUCs have also been given limited fiscal space for capital outlay which they strive to augment with their own revenue-generating sources,” the resolution said.

Manuel urged his colleagues to provide supplementary budget necessary for the safe reopening of schools.

He said funds are needed to property ventilate classrooms, to acquire health facilities and supplies, hire health personnel, free treatment of those who fall sick, internet allowance for teachers, and hazard pay among others.

Manuel said that the challenges that SUCs face are further compounded by the insufficient funding for capital and equipment outlay given to schools affected by natural disasters like recent typhoons and earthquakes.