Lawmakers criticized the Department of Education (DepEd) under Vice President Sara Duterte for failing to utilize P2.08 billion in disaster funds and not filling vacant teaching positions. Assistant Majority Leaders Jefferson Khonghun and Francisco Paolo Ortega accused DepEd of jeopardizing students and teachers by leaving over half of its 2023 disaster preparedness and response funds unused. The department had a total of P4.14 billion allocated for disaster preparedness and quick response funds in 2023, not including an additional P2.24 billion in leftover disaster funds from previous years. Ortega highlighted the plight of students in Mindanao attending classes in unsafe, earthquake-damaged buildings due to the lack of proper fund allocation.