LAWMAKERS from the House of Representatives are calling for an investigation of the different issues hounding the Department of Education.

The solons seek probe on DepEd’s low budget utilization and alleged procurement issues.

During the deliberations of DepEd’s proposed 2025 budget, ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro, Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Raul Angelo Bongalon and Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro separately called for investigations due to different revelations on procurement problems when Vice President Sara Duterte was still leading the department.

Luistro at the same time push for the issuance of a subpoena on all bidding documents since 2022 regarding DepEd’s Computerization Program, which has been hounded by significant delays in procurement and delivery — an issue pointed out by the Commission on Audit.

The solon explained that the subpoena will also include certifications from end-users that they received the information and communication technology materials, plus feedback from teachers who may have complained about the state of the computers, laptops, and smart television sets.

“And I therefore respectfully invoke, Madam Chair, the oversight power of the Congress. Thus, this representation respectfully moves for the issuance of subpoena duces tecum, in order to require the office concerned to produce all the bidding documents 2022, 2023, 2024, including the acceptance of the end-users,” Luistro said.

Luistro is also seeking for the feedback of the teachers since the computers delivered may not be in good condition anymore.

“I wish to manifest as well, Madam Chair, that if we are able to establish findings based on the documents to be submitted to us, then I recommend that we initiate a separate investigation on this,” she added.