DepEd probes alleged overpriced razors for Region 10 students

MANILA — The Department of Education (DepEd) has formed a fact-finding committee to look into the alleged overpricing of razors procured by DepEd Northern Mindanao.

It was reported that DepEd officials in Region 10 purchased 13 razors at PHP1,878 each, which actually cost only PHP200 in department stores.

In a statement released Tuesday night, DepEd central office said the fact-finding body is tasked to examine the relevant facts and documents relating to the transaction.

“Based on initial reports gathered from the field, the items referred to were part of various tools and equipment for Senior High School Technical Vocational and Livelihood (TVL) Track, procured sometime between April to June 2016 from funds downloaded by the central office sometime in February 2016,” the statement reads.

DepEd said the payment for the razors has not been made since the supplier did not comply with the requirements, noting that the incident “appears to have occurred prior to the term of the present administration.”

Meanwhile, DepEd assured the public that it will not tolerate any form or act of irregularity in its procurement processes from the central office, down to its field offices; and that it will release concrete information regarding the issue as soon as possible.

On June 25, an online news site reported that DepEd regional director Allan Francisco said the razors’ price was dictated upon the regional DepEd office by the DepEd Manila office and that the razors have been delivered by the winning bidder, Davao City-based N. R. Eustaquio Enterprises Inc. as part of the PHP9-million project for TVL students. (PNA)