DepEd looking into purchase of alleged overpriced cameras
MANILA — After the procurement of alleged overpriced but outdated laptops, the Department of Education (DepEd) is once again facing a similar controversy. This time, the agency has been accused online of purchasing pricey cameras.
The agency “will check on” the social media post that claims it bought an “overpriced camera,” DepEd spokesperson Michael Poa said.
Poa said he had not determined the camera in the photo.
“Sa public affairs service dito sa Central Office, wala po kaming entrylevel cameras,” he said in a message to reporters yesterday.
“So I will have to ask the regional offices kung may mga ganitong entry-level cameras na na-procure,” he added.
On Tuesday, January 31, activist Renato Reyes posted screenshots of a Facebook post by a supposed professional photographer “who inquired why [an] entry-level camera [from DepEd], apparently costs P155,000, while a similar model sells for P23,000 [online].”
The photo on the post showed a DepEd sticker on the gadget, with an acquisition cost of P155,929.
“Mukhang matagal nang modus itong sa mga camera. Approved budget ay P500,000 para sa isang DSLR at isang camcorder,” Reyes said, with screenshots of the supposed documents.
Reyes also posted a document on “another request for quotation in September 2022, for a mirrorless camera with entry-level specs with an approved budget of P170-k for one unit.”
In response, Poa explained “that particular procurement was cancelled,” based on his communication with DepEd’s office in Caraga region.
“Those cameras were initially intended for use in broadcast/livestream. Since the regional [information and communications technology] was able to eventually provide three conference cameras, the procurement of said DSLRs was cancelled,” Poa said.
“As to the approved budget of contract, I have asked the regional office to provide us with the basis used in coming up with the said amount,” he added.
Teachers’ reaction
The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) and Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) have called on DepEd to investigate the matter.
In a statement, ACT chairperson Vlademir Quetua said it was “both enraging and demoralizing for teachers to hear of such anomalies while we feel every day the scantiness of funds for [the] education [sector] on the ground.”
Quetua urged the agency to identify those involved in the supposed anomalous purchase and punish them in accordance with the law.
“It is disheartening that the agency which is supposed to inculcate honesty and judicious use of money among the younger generation has been swarmed with anomalies,” he said.
“Bago pa ang overpriced laptop, naging kontrobersyal na ang DepEd sa pagbili ng magagarang sasakyan, at mga hamon at keso de bola sa kasagsagan ng pandemya,” he added.
“Ang lahat ng ito ay dapat na masuri. Nagtitiis ang mga guro sa maliit na sahod at kapos na benepisyo. Ang mga mag-aaral ay kulang sa upuan, klasrum at libro. Walang mga guidance counselors, nurses, clerical staff, at guards sa paaralan. Marami pang problemang maaring banggitin, ngunit bakit tila walang habas sa paggasta ang mga nasa itaas?” TDC national chairperson Benjo Basas said.
Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte recently said the DepEd has created a separate office to focus on procurement.