THE DEPARTMENT of Education (DepEd) on Friday reported the accelerated delivery of laptops with the help of the Early Procurement Activity (EPA).

This is part of the department’s effort to expedite the DepEd Computerization Program (DCP) in line with the directives of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

In a statement, DepEd Zambales Schools Division Superintendent William Roderick Fallorin commended Education Secretary Sonny Angara for initiating the EPA, which addresses the delayed distribution of laptops to teachers and non-teaching staff due to the bidding and procurement process.

“Kung matatandaan n’yo, late na dumarating iyong mga laptops natin, iyong DCP packages natin. Usually, by the time na dumating sa mga schools, hindi na 100-percent functional, tapos iyong iba parang hindi na masyado magamit (If you remember, our laptops under our DCP packages were coming in late. By the time these reach the schools, they are no longer 100-percent functional, with some only useful for a short period of time,” said Fallorin, who oversees 300 public schools.

He was referring to the time when the laptops supposed to be distributed were reportedly stocked in warehouses for almost the entire two-year shelf-life of the equipment.

The DepEd said 79 percent of the fund for the 2025 DCP has been awarded.

Out of the 33,539 DepEd procured laptops for teaching personnel, 9,466 units have been delivered, as well as 3,255 out of the 5,360 laptops for non-teaching staff.

Besides laptops, 6,634 out of the 25,949 procured Smart TV packages with external drives have also been distributed.

No ‘pay-for-position’ scheme

The DepEd, meanwhile, condemned in the strongest terms all forms of corruption, particularly those involving “appointments, promotions, and designations.”

“Sa ilalim ng aking pamumuno, hindi ko pahihintulutan ang anumang uri ng katiwalian sa loob ng Kagawaran ng Edukasyon (Under my leadership, I will not allow any form of corruption within the Department of Education),” Angara said in a separate statement.

He reiterated that the “pay-for-position” scheme is a “grave offense.”

“Kasama diyan ang mga nababalitang pagbebenta ng posisyon o pagtanggap ng kapalit para sa trabaho, promosyon, o puwesto (These include the reported sale of positions or acceptance of favors in exchange for employment, promotion, or position),” Angara said, slamming the alleged use of money or influence as leverage within the education sector.

He said they would impose zero tolerance on the scheme, underscoring the need to uphold “competence, integrity, and compassion” for Filipino learners and the country.

The DepEd urged victims or concerned individuals to report such incidents to the DepEd Central Office, the National Bureau of Investigation, or the Philippine National Police.

It assured confidential treatment on all complaints to ensure the welfare of whistleblowers. (PNA)