DepEd sets probe on ‘overpriced razors’

The Department of Education (DepEd) has formed a fact-finding committee to look into the alleged overpriced razors procured by the concerned regional office and vowed not to tolerate any form or act of irregularity in any of the procurement processes under its Central Office or any of its Regional Offices.

DepEd issued the statement following reports of overpriced razors allegedly procured by its regional office in Northern Mindanao.

It was reported earlier that the DepEd Region X procured disposable razors priced at around 11,900 apiece to be used by Senior High School (SHS) students.

Citing initial reports gathered by its Central Office from field and other units, DepEd said that the items being referred to “were part of various tools and equipment” for Senior High School Technical Vocational and Livelihood (TVL) track.

DepEd also noted that these items were “procured sometime between April and June 2016 from funds downloaded by the central office sometime in February 2016.”

DepEd added that based on preliminary reports, “payment for the items has not been made since the supplier did not comply with the specifications.”

The said incident, DepEd noted, “appears to have occurred prior to the term of the present administration.”

DepEd said that the fact-finding committee is “tasked to carefully but expeditiously examine the relevant facts and documents relating to the transaction.”

DepEd, it added, “commits to provide the public with concrete and definite answers at the soonest.”