The Department of Education (DepEd) on Friday, Aug. 5, maintained that questions related to the price of laptops pointed out in the 2021 report of the Commission on Audit (COA) would be best addressed by the procuring entity for the said units.
“The Department only received the laptops from PS-DBM,” DepEd said, referring to the Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM) --- the procuring entity for laptops that were tagged “pricey” yet outdated by COA.
With this, DepEd said that the “question on the price of the laptops can best be answered” by the PS-DBM.
Controversies continue to hound the P2.4-billion laptop purchase for teachers in 2021. The laptop initiative aimed to equip teachers as DepEd implemented distance learning modalities amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
Meanwhile, DepEd said that it has acknowledged the COA’s 2021 Annual Report for the agency and is “taking steps to address the recommendations presented” including the controversial laptop for purchase.
“DepEd commits to working closely with the COA to ensure the continuous improvement of its services to the public,” the agency added.
In a press conference on Aug. 4, DepEd Spokesperson Michael Poa said that the agency has already submitted the documentary requirements and is awaiting feedback from COA.
Poa also stressed that COA’s findings in the Audit Observation Memorandum (AOM) are “not yet conclusive.”
READ:
https://mb.com.ph/2022/08/04/deped-says-coas-findings-on-alleged-deficiencies-not-yet-conclusive/