VICE President Sara Duterte may have given up her Cabinet post but the Commission on Audit (COA) is not bent on letting her go in view of an audit report embarking on flaws surrounding the Department of Education’s feeding program.
In its 2023 audit report, COA said that no less than the Schools Division Offices (SDO) reported molds in nutribuns, rotten food, and expired goods which form part of DepEd’s P5.69 billion School-Based Feeding Program (SBFP) contract sealed by then Education Secretary Duterte.
“Pest/insects were found inside Karabun/Milky bun and E-nutribun (squash) during the inspection of food commodities,” reads part of the COA report covering Aurora province.
In Bulacan, state auditors also flagged rotten, unripe or crushed food items delivered by the designated supplier to the province-based SDO.
In Misamis Oriental, the province-based SDO outrightly rejected individually packed nutribuns which were reportedly covered with molds upon delivery.
“1,001 pieces of E-nutribun delivered from September 2023 to January 2024 were returned to the suppliers for replacement due to the presence of molds and discoloration on the bread, 1 to 2 days before the expiry dates,” COA said.
Dubious markings were also discovered in nutritious food products delivered to the Iligan City SDO, where boxes showed an expiry date of October 29, 2023 but markings on the products inside said they were only good until October 26, 2023.
“The product contains a manufacturing date which is not easily discernible and misrepresents, contrary to the terms of the contract. Hence, the supplier failed to meet the standard of the contract in providing a clear and readable manufacturing date,” the audit team noted.
In Metro Manila, the Quezon City SDO complained of poor packaging and delivery of food items that were smaller or lighter than what the contract specified.
“The root crops and fruits were not individually packed in cling wrap or paper. The weight of five food items purchased and distributed was below the prescribed serving size. Eight kinds of prescribed NFPs or alternatives were substituted with other food products,” auditors pointed out.
The SBFP was envisioned to enhance the growth and health of undernourished public school learners by providing them with nutritious food. The feeding program has two components – the NFP, which is either a hot meal or rationed food items including fruits, eggs, camote, and nutty bars; and pasteurized fresh milk.
COA likewise took note of the failure of the supplier to deliver milk in at least 10 regions covering the entire school year, for which the state auditor blamed delays in signing supply contracts with the Philippine Carabao Center or the National Dairy Authority.
State auditors also expressed concern in DepEd’s feeding program in Mandaluyong City and Pasig City in the National Capital Region (NCR); Ifugao, Benguet, and Baguio City in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR); La Union in Region 1 (Ilocos Region); Oriental Mindoro and Palawan in Region 4B (Mimaropa); Camarines Sur in Region 5 (Bicol Region); Zamboanga City in Region 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula); Bukidnon, Valencia City, and the city of Malaybalay in Region 10 (Northern Mindanao); Tagum City in Region 11 (Davao Region); South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat in Region 12 (SOCCSKSARGEN); and Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Norte, Butuan City, Cabadbaran City, and Surigao City in Region 13 (CARAGA).
In Camarines Sur, almost P100 million worth of food products have yet to arrive.
“As of February 14, 2024, NFPs totaling 6,847,234 units amounting to P98,613,931 remained undelivered. The procurement of milk products was not yet conducted,” the audit team said.
In Palawan, payment to the supplier was completed faster than the delivery of food supplies.
“Audit revealed that SDO Palawan paid on December 15, 2022 the full amount of P25,709,893 for NFP purchased… despite delayed delivery of goods totaling P14,589,363 per delivery receipts and school IARs (inspection and acceptance reports),” the auditors noted.
COA said the guidelines of the DepEd Feeding Program were no longer followed as schools simply gave out double rations and even gave food items for students not classified as undernourished to avoid spoilage.
“The delayed implementation of the SBFP may result in non-completion of the full cycle of the feeding program for its targeted beneficiaries, hence, the maximum benefits from the program may not be attained,” the COA said. (ANGEL F. JOSE)
