DepEd launches platform for reporting corruption

MANILA, Philippines —  The Department of Education (DepEd) has launched a platform where schools and the public can report corruption or irregularities in the agency’s bidding and procurement activities.

“The DepEd appeals to the public for support and encourages the reporting of any information pertaining to any possible illegal or corrupt activities in its procurement processes,” it said through Memorandum 61 Series of 2024 issued on Oct. 30.

It added that the public may submit their report to its new email portal [email protected].

“The DepEd assures the public that the information provided shall be treated with utmost confidentiality,” the agency said.

It added that the public may also directly report any nefarious activities in the agency to law enforcement authorities such as the Philippine National Police and the National Bureau of Investigation “for entrapment, investigation and the filing of formal criminal charges.”

In the same memorandum, Education Secretary Sonny Angara reminded all DepEd officials, including schools division superintendents, to ensure that “all bidding activities… shall be conducted in strict adherence to the principles of transparency, competitiveness and accountability in accordance with Republic Act 9184, otherwise known as the Government Procurement Reform Act.”

The education chief, however, warned erring bidders, suppliers, contractors and consultants that “the department will not hesitate to institute blacklisting proceedings when warranted, which will result in disqualifying their participation in any bidding in the government.”

In a press statement issued yesterday, the DepEd said the launch of [email protected] and the issuance of Memorandum 61 were part of its reaffirmation of its commitment to ensure “transparency and accountability in all procurement and bidding processes within the agency.”

Some of the procurement activities and supply contracts entered into by the DepEd under the past leaderships were flagged by the Commission on Audit (COA).