COA: DepEd bought zero ICT packages as of end-2023

The Department of Education had "zero accomplishment" in its procurement of ICT equipment as of Dec. 31, 2023, the Commission on Audit said in its report.

According to COA’s 2023 Annual Audit Report on the DepEd, the agency didn't meet the program’s 2023 targets of procuring 2,349 e-learning carts, 2,648 Smart TVs, 12,022 laptops for teaching personnel and 7,588 laptops for non-teaching personnel.

“Based on the aforementioned report, the DepEd's non-accomplishment was a result of the reconfiguration made on the initial specifications of ICT (information, communication, and technology) equipment and modification of the package content wherein the physical target and the procurement activities that were supposed to be carried out as specified in the APP (Annual Procurement Plan) were altered,” COA said.

“Thus, no delivery took place in 2023. The DepEd’s inability to complete the procurement process for its 2023 computerization program in time for the proposed execution date per APP and delays incurred in contract signing affected the timely attainment of the program’s objectives to upgrade and strengthen the ICT competencies of learners, teachers, school leaders, and non-teaching personnel nationwide for globally competitive quality education,” it added.

GMA News Online has sought comment from the camp of Vice President Sara Duterte, the former education secretary, but the OVP has yet to respond as of posting time.

The same COA report also showed that as of the end of 2023, DepEd only managed to disburse P2 billion out of its P11 billion budget for its 2023 Computerization Program.

Given the findings, COA tasked the DepEd’s Program Management Committee for the computerization project under the Office of the Undersecretary for Administration in the DepEd Central Office to strengthen the monitoring and supervision of the implementation of the computerization program.

In addition, COA called on the DepEd to formulate strategies/measures, as well as exert its best efforts to timely implement and complete the project for the benefit of the learners, teachers, and non-teaching personnel.

COA said the DepEd’s Bids and Awards Committee under the DepEd Central Office should strictly observe the timelines provided under the Procurement law.

In response to the COA report, DepEd said that the “reasonable delay” was due to the following “needed steps” namely:

• legal review;
• internal review and routing/signing of documents among concerned officials and offices supplier’s submission of performance security and contract signing and notarization; and
• holidays and weekends that add to the extended days for the contract preparation and signing.

“Nevertheless, the DepEd will endeavor to institute policies and/or guidelines on processing procurement contracts compliant with the timelines set by the Procurement law and its implementing rules and regulations on its future procurement projects,” DepEd told state auditors in the same COA report.

DepEd’s zero accomplishment on its computerization program and the agency only being able to spend P2 billion out of its P11 billion budget for its computerization program were called out by Batangas lawmaker Gerville Luistro during House appropriations panel deliberations on DepEd’s proposed P798 billion budget for 2025 on Monday.

“You have this P11 billion budget. You requested this for 2023. Why are you only able to disburse P2 billion?,” Luistro said.

DepEd Director Ferdinand Pitagan responded by saying that “when the new [Marcos, Jr.] administration came in [June 30, 2022], the priority was the continuing [appropriations under the] 2022 [budget]. That's why for 2022 funds, we have the 92% obligation. Now, in 2023, ma'am, it continued to 2024...”

Luistro said that the reasoning was not valid amid the high demand for computers and laptops among learners, teachers, and even non-teaching personnel.

“It's hard for me to appreciate the explanation that your priority is [disbursing] continuing [appropriations], which is the budget from 2022? Why did you request for P11 billion in 2023 when your priority is [disburse the] 2022 budget for computerization? Doon po sa amin sa  Batangas, hindi po magkamayaw ang humihingi ng tulong na estudyante, teachers, and even PTA officers lahat ang problema nila ay computers, laptops,” Luistro said.

Pitagan said that DepEd has already obligated 95% of the P11 billion funding for the 2023 Computerization Program as of May 2024, but it is yet to be reflected in COA documents.

“It is yet to be reflected because we are asking for the modification of the expense class [for Computerization Program], from capital outlay to MOOE (maintenance and other operating expenses),” Pitagan said.

Luistro then asked Pitagan about the student-to-computer ratio and the teacher-to-computer ratio to prove her point.

Pitagan answered that there is one computer for every nine students and that there is one computer for every 30 teachers.

"It is almost [as good as] saying it is impossible to facilitate an e-learning system,” Luistro said.

“I just wish to manifest my frustration about the significant delay in the proper bidding, procurement, and delivery of all these ICT equipment. This is what our public schools need.  Why don't we act promptly so we address this problem in the Department of Education?” she added. —NB, GMA Integrated News