CV schools still lack equipment, facilities

Public schools in Central Visayas still lack proper equipment and facilities owing to procurement issues, an official of the Department of Education-7 said.

Juliet Jeruta, DepEd-7 regional director, said only a few prospective bidders participate in the public bidding or sometimes even none.

She recalled an incident in which no bidders showed up during a scheduled bidding.

“When we planned for the senior high, we thought all the while that it would be easy to access the equipment and facilities because we have so many interested stakeholders to complement whatever is given by the government,” she said.

“However, the government itself, though the plan and money are there, we were somewhat constrained by the Republic Act 9184 (the Government Procurement Reform Act). Not because we don't want to comply (with the provisions) but because when we have the bidding of the equipment and facilities, there were no bidders who came up," she added.

With this, DepEd-7 decided to partner with various firms and stakeholders in order to provide the needs of the schools.

Vivant Foundation Incorporated (VFI) is among the partners of DepEd-7. It donated P200,000 worth of equipment to the schools that won the Regional Science and Technology Fair last year.

VFI turned over the equipment to the RSTF winners yesterday at the DepEd Regional Office 7 in Sudlon in Barangay Lahug, Cebu City.

The City of Bogo Science and Arts Academy was among the winners of the science tilt with its project entry entitled "Cassava Starch as an Alternative Raw Material in Making Bioplastic.” The school was represented by elementary students.

Shem Rose Garcia, VFI executive director, assured that the foundation will continue extending assistance to schools to inspire young individuals to be more creative and innovative.

Moreover, Jeruta is urging other institutions or groups to help provide quality facilities and equipment to schools in the region.

"We have to sustain efforts on having them (senior high school students) thoroughly engaged in quality equipment and facilities," she said.

Aside from partnering with stakeholders, DepEd has also launched its Malasakit Tech2Teach Program in partnership with the business process outsourcing (BPO) companies.

The program aims to provide computer units to public schools in far-flung areas. This is part of DepEd's computer education program.

KBQ