DepEd’s 2023 Budget Woes: Where Did the Billions Go?

 

A Look into the 2023 ICT Budget Utilization in DepEd: Addressing the Gaps

In a recent congressional hearing, critical questions were raised about the Department of Education’s (DepEd) utilization of its 2023 budget, particularly regarding the procurement and distribution of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) equipment to schools. The discussion highlighted significant delays and inefficiencies in the allocation of funds intended to improve the country's educational infrastructure.

Current Teacher and Student Computer Ratios

The hearing began with a query from Congresswoman Gerville Luistro about the current ratio of computers to students and teachers for the year 2023. According to Director Abram Abanil Pitagan, the ratio stands at one computer for every nine students, while for teachers, it is a staggering one computer for every 30 teachers. This data underscores the challenges in facilitating effective e-learning environments, especially given the critical role of technology in modern education.

2023 Budget Allocation and Utilization

One of the most significant issues discussed was the DepEd’s request for a budget allocation of ₱11.361 billion for ICT packages in 2023. Despite this substantial allocation, it was revealed that only 19.22% of the budget had been utilized by the end of the year. This amounted to approximately ₱2.183 billion in obligations and ₱2.075 billion in disbursements, raising concerns about the underutilization of resources in the face of pressing needs.

Reasons for Delays and Underutilization

When questioned about the underutilization, Director Pitagan explained that the new administration prioritized continuing projects from 2022, resulting in delays in the disbursement of the 2023 funds. However, Congresswoman Luistro criticized this explanation, pointing out that despite the urgency of the need for ICT equipment in schools, the 2023 budget was not effectively used.

The discussion also touched on the ongoing procurement processes for the 2023 budget, with Pitagan mentioning that as of May 2024, 95% of the obligations had been met. However, this was complicated by a request to modify the expense classification from capital outlay to Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE), which further delayed the disbursement process.

Accountability and Delivery Status

The hearing also focused on the status of equipment delivery. Despite claims from DepEd that a significant portion of the allocated equipment had been delivered, discrepancies in the accomplishment reports raised doubts. For instance, the reported delivery rates for various ICT packages, such as laptops and smart TVs, showed minimal progress, with an average delivery rate of just 3% for the current appropriation.

Congresswoman Luistro expressed frustration over the slow pace of procurement and delivery, noting that such inefficiency could be contributing to the low ranking of the Philippines in international education assessments like the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA).

Conclusion: The Need for Prompt Action

The hearing concluded with a call for DepEd to address these delays urgently. Congresswoman Luistro emphasized the critical need for prompt action to utilize the allocated budget effectively, ensuring that schools receive the necessary ICT equipment. The discussion serves as a reminder of the importance of transparency and efficiency in managing public funds, especially in sectors as crucial as education.

Moving forward, DepEd has initiated early procurement activities for 2025 to avoid similar delays. However, the pressing question remains: what caused the delays in the 2023 procurement, and how will DepEd ensure that such issues do not recur? The education sector, and the future of the country’s youth, hinges on the answers to these questions.