DepEd works with COA on reforms

The Department of Education (DepEd) has been working with the Commission
on Audit (COA) to address the latter’s Consolidated Annual Audit Report which
was released way back in May 2008.

“We are grateful to COA for providing us the opportunity to address these
concerns on the utilization of resources. We at the DepEd feel that by
addressing these challenges we can further improve the implementation of our
‘Education for All’ thrust,” said Joel Lacsamana, Senior Policy Adviser of DepEd.
The report on DepEd for 2007 contains the state auditor’s report, audited
financial statements, and observations by COA with corresponding
recommendations.

Prior to the release of the 2007 report by COA, DepEd officials have acted upon
the recommendations stated in earlier reports.
DepEd has acted upon COA’s observations on ICT and multimedia equipment,
school buildings and furniture, textbooks, and the Food for School Program.
On school buildings and furniture, DepEd is seeking an amendment of the
existing Roxas Law which states that 50% of the amount for Capital Outlay
(includes equipment, buildings, non-structural improvements such as drainage,
landscaping, sanitary sewers) should be allocated based on student population;
40% for districts with classroom shortages, with the remaining 10% as
contingency fund.

DepEd proposes to allocate 80% of Capital Outlay for districts with classroom
shortages, and 10% based on student population. The remaining 10% will
comprise the contingency fund.
On COA’s observations on DepEd’s ICT and multimedia equipment, DepEd has
been evaluating existing media equipment, and has been finalizing guidelines for
the computerization program, specifically on the number of computers to be
distributed and identification of school beneficiaries.
DepEd’s Textbook Exchange Program is a response to COA’s observation on
excess textbooks. Excess textbook titles are shared by regions to those that
need them.

DepEd is closely working with the National Food Authority to monitor the Food for
School Program which was also included in the COA Report for 2007.
OSEC COMMUNICATIONS | DEPED COMPLEX, MERALCO AVENUE, PASIG CITY 1600
T (02) 6316033 | F (02) 6364876 | WEBSITE www.deped.gov.ph | EMAIL depedcommunications@gmail.com
“We feel that DepEd has been recording gains in its commitment to make quality
basic education accessible to as many learners as possible in the public school
system. We welcome inputs from all sectors both in the government and the
private sector to keep us on the right track,” Lacsamana said.

http://www.deped.gov.ph/cpanel/uploads/issuanceImg/sep25-coa.pdf
----------------------------