Michael Apacible Bulletin

  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

  LTO's P51 Million Procurement Scandal: Overpriced and Defective Equipment Returned Manila, Philippines – A recent Senate hearing, led by Senator Raffy Tulfo, unveiled troubling details about a P51 million procurement by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) for fertilizer and breathalyzer units, which were found to be both overpriced and defective. These issues have led to the equipment being returned by recipients such as the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Philippine National Police (PNP). Overpriced Breathalyzer Under Scrutiny During the hearing, Senator Raffy Tulfo expressed deep concern over the inflated price of the breathalyzer units, each costing P68,000. This amount is significantly higher than the market price for similar breathalyzers in other countries, such as the United States, where prices range from P5,000 to P14,000. In Thailand and China, prices are even lower. Senator Tulfo questioned the LTO's procurement process, hinting at possi