Lanao del Sur 1st district Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong (PPAB)

Lanao del Sur 1st district Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong is pressing the Department of Education (DepEd) to take immediate action against contractors who failed to fulfill obligations under the agency’s Last Mile Schools Program (LMSP).

During the DepEd’s budget deliberations on Monday, Sept. 2, Adiong condemned the delays in the delivery of essential learning resources under the LMSP. 

The delays reportedly date back to 2020 or during the administration of former president Rodrigo Durterte. It continued until 2023 when Vice President Sara Duterte was still secretary of DepEd.

“You’re asking for a P10 billion budget for the same program, yet you have not utilized the remaining funds properly, and you did not even file a complaint against these erring suppliers,” said Adiong.

The LMSP, which is among the flagship programs of the DepEd, aims to address facility gaps in schools located at geographically isolated areas by upgrading makeshift classrooms and infrastructure, particularly in schools without electricity.

Adiong noted that only 50 percent, or approximately P10.29 billion, of the P20.54 billion allocated under this program, had been utilized.

The lawmaker raised concern regarding the agency’s efficiency, particularly with the unutilized funds and “substantial delays” in completing the LMSP’s goal of constructing facilities at 152 sites nationwide.

On top of that, the DepEd is now seeking an additional P10 billion to fund the program—which they later clarified was only worth P3 billion.

Amid all these concerns, the agency has one response: It’s the contractors’ fault.

DepEd Undersecretary Epimaco Densing III said three contractors were initially selected for the LMSP. Of these three, only one was able to complete most of their work.

"When the infrastructure strand was created, we talked to the three contractors, giving them a chance to continue. After they were given a certain deadline, only one of the contractors was able to finish, I think, 95% of what was allotted to it. The other one managed around 25 percent or 30 percent," Densing explained.

"The balance, I think, they will not be able to build anymore. The third contractor had zero output, and this is the contractor in charge of Mindanao. We are now in the process of terminating those contractors who did not comply with their requirements,” he added.

Adiong says that spending money when the contractors haven’t even fulfilled their obligations is a “significant issue”.

The assistant majority leader stressed that the delays have been a “disservice” to indigent students who are in need of educational resources.

“I hope that we can see at least a sense of accountability. We need to run after those people who have deliberately...talagang niloko tayo (we were really deceived),” he insisted.

In response, DepEd Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara assured the congressman that his department would take strong measures against such contractors.

“Yes, Your Honor, we will go after these people and the suggestion to pay special attention, tututukan po namin (we will focus on this),” noted Angara.