DepEd: Ask PS-DBM about ‘overpriced’ laptops
THE Department of Education (DepEd) has acknowledged the audit observation memorandum from the Commission on Audit (COA) for the agency and is taking “steps to address” the recommendations presented, including the P2.4 billion for the laptops for teachers initiative in 2021.
In a statement, the DepEd said, “The question on the price of the laptops can best be answered by the Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM) as the procuring entity for the units.”
The DepEd added that they only received the laptops from the PS-DBM.
“The DepEd commits to working closely with the COA to ensure the continuous improvement of its services to the public,” the statement added.
According to the COA’s 2021 annual audit report, teachers’ laptops bought by the department for P2.4 billion through the PS-DBM were “pricey for an entry-level type laptop.”
The state auditors noted that purchasing overpriced laptops “adversely decreased the number of intended beneficiaries from 68,500 to 39,583 public school teachers.”
