The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) Philippines demanded the Department of Education (DepEd) to be accountable over its failure “to obligate” about P1.74 billion fund from Bayanihan 2.
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ACT Secretary General Raymond Basilio expressed in disappointment that the DepEd committed an “epic fail” especially when parents, learners and teachers are the ones left to suffer the additional expenses brought by the distance learning setup.
The fund lapsed on June 30, 2021 and was supposedly allotted for distance learning needs.
We demand accountability from the highest officials who have been remiss of their duties, and solutions on how to make up for the lost funds,
Basilio said.
According to ACT, as of June 15, 2021, the DepEd has failed to obligate about 40 percent of the P4.3 billion allocation of Bayanihan 2 to the agency’s distance learning needs. It was among the agencies which have the biggest unspent money provided by the law
In May, the DepEd announced about the usage of the P4.3 billion Bayanihan 2 funds for the agency: P2.4 billion was allotted for the procurement of 68,500 laptops for teachers; P1.2 billion for 100GB per teacher internet data provision valid for three to six months; P300 million for student subsidies and allowances; P150 million for modules; and P200 million for DepEd TV.
However, Basilio noted that current school year is already nearing its end and yet the DepEd’s provision of data and laptop are still not received by teachers.
Niloloko lang ba tayo ng DepEd?,
Basilio asked.
ACT also explained that the initial batches of laptops distributed were from DepEd’s 2020 computerization program and there were no reports that came from the Bayanahin 2 provision. Even the 100GB allowance has been reportedly not received yet by teachers.
The group asked the DepEd to account the items and programs which will be affected by the reverting of the unobligated funds to the national treasury and “provide a clear plan on how to remedy the situation.”
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Teachers’ group slam DepEd over wasteful use of Bayanihan 2 funds for distance learning
Reviewed by Issues PH
on
July 02, 2021
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Reviewed by Issues PH
on
July 02, 2021
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