The laptops and gadgets procured by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) under its Digital Education Program (DEP) were untended to assist its partner local government units (LGUs) to boost ICT-enabled education during the coronavirus pandemic.

The ICT gadgets, which were turned over by the LGUs to student beneficiaries, enhance the delivery of services to the education sector.

"Through these initiatives, we aim to be more responsive to the needs of our students under the online and blended learning modalities as face-to-face classes are currently suspended during this public health emergency," DICT Secretary Gregorio "Gringo" B. Honasan II said in a statement on Wednesday, Aug. 18.

Honasan also stressed the importance of uninterrupted learning amid the pandemic, saying ICT-enabled interventions are "urgently needed" for continued learning, particularly those underprivileged students who have little to no access to learning tools.

"Overall, the projects involved aim to support the primary objective of the government to contain the spread of COVID-19 as more and more agencies and LGUs rely on technical expertise and functions of the DICT to address the greater need for digitization, interconnectivity, and ensuring cybersecurity awareness of the public, during this new normal," he said.

"These are likewise consistent with the declared policy of the State to promote the use of ICT to enhance key public services, such as education, digital literacy, ICT expertise, and knowledge-building among citizens, as well as security of information assets of individuals, among others," Honasan added.

No procurement irregularity

The Commission on Audit (COA) had asked DICT to respond to the questionable purchase of over P170-million worth of gadgets, which were donated to schools amid the pandemic.

The DICT said the tablets and devices were procured through Emergency Cases of 2016 Revised Implementing Rules (IRR) of Republic Act No. 9184 and awarded to Lex-Mar General Merchandise and Contractor (Lex-Mar), which the DICT found to be "a technically, legally, and financially capable supplier."

"Lex-Mar is a wholesaler of office supplies and office equipment, including the supply of computer units and tablets. Recent financial statements also indicate that the bidder’s revenue or income exceeds and is capable of sustaining its operations, costs, and expenses. This sufficiently shows that Lex-Mar is capable of generating sufficient funds and revenue through various types of activities," the department said.

The DICT said Lex-Mar presented several completed contracts which include procurement projects conducted for the local government of Quezon City, involving laptops and computer units.

"These projects were duly completed involving similar types of ICT equipment, for the same procuring entity as the local authority that issued the business permits and authorized the business activities of Lex-Mar. Put simply, if the local government unit that issued the permit for Lex-Mar to engage in business respected such permit in their procurement project for computer units and similar ICT devices, then it stands to reason that other government agencies may also rely on such duly issued permits."