The Commission on Audit flagged P4.527 million worth of deficiencies in the utilization of funds in the Department of Education’s (DepEd) budget intended for the Basic Education-Learning Continuity Plan (BE-LCP) for school years 2020-2021 and 2021-2022. Despite this and the ongoing educational crisis amid the pandemic, DepEd insisted on its supposed success in the implementation of distance learning while the Marcos Jr. regime is deeming as urgent the return of the mandatory reserve officers training corps (ROTC).
Anomalous budget spending
These deficiencies included “lapses in Budget Utilization” totaling P506.315 million in the National Capital Region as well as Regions 3, 7, 8, and 13. They also included “non/incomplete submission of the required documents regarding BE-LCP” totaling P205.8 million from Regions 5, 6, and 8, and “non-/delayed submission of perfected contract and Purchase Orders” worth P390.761 million by NCR and Regions 1,3,9, and 13.
The Commission also slammed the department for over P1.7 billion worth of BE-LCP purchases that did not comply with government rules on procurements. They also flagged more than P900 Million for purchases with “inadequate supporting documents and other deficiencies.”
ROs NCR, 1, 3, 5, and 13 were also flagged for failing to prepare proper forms and record inventory items, although the report did not include the total value of these items.
COA also said that NCR, Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), 1, 3, 4-B, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 13 failed to properly procure, reproduce, and deliver self-learning modules worth P753.88 million.
The report also exposed the poor utilization of P2.451 billion in the department’s COVID response fund from Bayanihan 2.
COA called them out for including ineligible beneficiaries, releasing funds without prior authorization, failing to deliver Health and Safety Supplies on time, and purchasing overpriced items such as air purifiers and multivitamins.
In one instance, the Central Office was flagged for purchasing 39,583 entry-level laptops for public school teachers, with each unit costing P58,300, an increase from the planned P35,046.50.
“The huge difference of P23,253.50 per unit price resulted in a significant decrease by 28,917 laptop computers, purportedly for distribution to intended recipient-teachers which could have helped them in performing their tasks in the blended learning set-up. Consequently, an estimated 28,917 teachers were deprived of the possible benefits from the supposed provision of these laptops,” said the COA.
Department in denial
These reports contradict claims by the department that the years of distance learning were successful. Critics slammed Briones in September last year for calling the first year of distance learning successful, and many DepEd officials still say so despite the data clearly showing the contrary.
Alongside corruption issues, distance learning was marred by the lack of adequate health and safety measures. In a resolution demanding more support for the reimplementation of Face-to-Face classes, the Alliance of Concerned Teachers pointed out the department’s failure to ensure health and safety protocols are in place.
“In the schools having face-to-face classes now, many teachers, parents, and students have expressed their worries about the lack of water; insufficient sanitation and handwashing facilities; classrooms with insufficient ventilation and air filtration; lack of support for the PPE of teachers, school staff, and students,” they said.
They also pointed out that few schools have an adequately-stocked clinic, and even fewer have regular access to a nurse or doctor in emergencies.
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DepEd out of focus
These allegations also put into question the Marcos, Jr. administration’s plans to bring back Mandatory ROTC despite more pressing issues in the education sector.
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“Mandatory ROTC neither guarantees nationalism nor discipline but actually promotes a culture of violence, impunity, and blind obedience among the youth. The NSTP [National Service Training Program] Law which makes ROTC optional is a product of public outcry after the tragic death of ROTC cadet Mark Welson Chua 21 years ago. Moreover, Mandatory ROTC will impose hefty fees and costs on families who are already struggling to keep students in school. Our budget should be focused to secure every Filipino’s right to education first,” said Kabataan Party-list Representative Raoul Manuel
Instead of pushing for ROTC, which he called a “waste of funds,” Manuel urged the government to focus on making sure that students return to the classroom safely and that teachers are given the support that they need to provide quality education.
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Kabataan Party-list and other Makabayan solons call on Marcos Jr. and his supporters to advocate for House Bill No. 251 or the Safe School Reopening Bill and other similar bills filed in Congress if the administration is genuinely willing to improve the country’s education system.
Featured image courtesy of GMA News
