A group on Thursday, July 1, slammed the Department of Education (DepEd) for its “failure to obligate” some P1.744 billion “Bayanihan 2” allotment for distance learning needs.

The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) Philippines expressed disappointment over DepEd’s “failure” as the funds lapsed on June 30, 2021. ACT Secretary General Raymond Basilio said that this is such an “epic fail” on the part of DepEd especially at a time when parents, learners and teachers are bearing the brunt of additional expenses under distance learning.

“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.

ACT demanded that DepEd 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.”

Citing reports, ACT said that 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.” This, the group added, made DepEd as among the agencies which have the biggest unspent money provided by the law.

ACT said that DepEd, in May, announced that the utilization of the P4.3 billion Bayanihan 2 funds for the agency was already underway - with P2.4 billion allotted for the procurement of 68,500 laptops for teachers; P1.2 billion for 100GB per teacher internet data provision, which will be 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 with the current school year nearing its end on July 10, the DepEd’s provision of data and laptop are not yet received by teachers. “Niloloko lang ba tayo ng DepEd? (Is DepEd fooling us?),” Basilio asked.

Sharing reports from the ground, ACT said that initial batches of laptops distributed were from DepEd’s 2020 computerization program while “none has been reported so far to come from the Bayanihan 2 provision.” Teachers, the group added, have also reportedly not received yet the promised 100GB data allowance.

“The current school year is a grave failure and the coming one is still unprepared, both because of DepEd’s deplorable fiscal irresponsibility and of the President’s absolute abandonment of education at a time of severe crises,” Basilio added.