Press Release
August 9, 2019

STATEMENT OF SENATOR WIN GATCHALIAN ON COA'S 2018 ANNUAL AUDIT REPORT FOR DEPED

The Department of Education must explain and offer adequate documentation to support the P13.8 billion expenses it incurred in 2018 that have been flagged by the Commission on Audit. But while DepEd has assured the COA that its future transactions will be supported by complete documentary requirements as prescribed by law, it still has to explain the quite honestly more disturbing red flags made by state auditors.

For one, why were more than P254 million worth of learning materials for Grade 3 pupils in Araling Panlipunan, Science, and English riddled with errors despite DepEd's three-step review process? It is appalling and unacceptable that the Grade 3 "Araling Panlipunan Learner's Material" had a mind-boggling 1,308 errors.

Also, why were some three million textbooks and other learning materials intended for public schools nationwide left unused in dilapidated DepEd warehouses?

If we want to improve the performance of our students then we must also elevate the quality of learning materials they are given. The Senate Committee on Basic Education will do everything to exert accountability. We will make sure that hard-earned tax payers' money will never go to waste and corruption.

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