Deartment of Education spokesperson Michael Poa (PNA photo by Alfred Frias) MANILA - The Department of Education (DepEd) on Monday defended that it had proposed around PHP532 million budget for the Special Education (SPED) program under the proposed 2023 budget but it was not considered in the National Expenditure Program (NEP). DepEd spokesperson Michael Poa said that although the circumstance has been "recurring," the department has been coordinating closely with lawmakers to ensure internal adjustments. "This is a recurring circumstance every year, and DepEd is not at a loss because we always work with members of Congress to find other ways to fund DepEd programs. This means that in order to support the program, internal adjustments are made, be it in the available MOOE (Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses) of schools or other programs, in order to fund SPED," he said. These adjustments include efforts inside the DepEd to secure adequate funding for SPED. Th