Transpac let DepEd haul items
By J.Lo
"Sometime in first week of December 2023, DepEd was in receipt of letter from Transpac suddenly informing DepEd it may now haul goods stored in its warehouses," therefore, our regional and division offices have immediately started hauling goods… DepEd aims to completely haul and deliver goods to our public schools in next few weeks," Department of Education's regional and division offices have started hauling learning resources from its previous logistics provider, Transpac Cargo Logistics, "for distribution to public schools nationwide," DepEd said in a statement.
DepEd's statement came as Makabayan bloc in House of Representatives filed House Resolution 1516 seeking investigation on billions of pesos worth of school furniture and science and math equipment remained idle in Transpac warehouses allegedly due to DepEd's refusal to pay warehouse fees.
In its statement, DepEd said issue on undelivered equipment and learning materials was not merely about unpaid warehouse fees as reported by some media outfits, but mainly due to Transpac's failure to meet its obligations under contract.
"We would like to emphasize that this is not simple case of unpaid warehouse fees as has been inaccurately framed by some outfits…payment to providers may only be done upon fulfillment of obligations and corresponding submission of complete documentation as required by accounting, auditing and other pertinent rules and regulations for disbursement of funds, DepEd remains committed to safeguarding public interest, so that our learners and stakeholders will not be shortchanged of education services they deserve, " DepEd said.
DepEd said services of Transpac Logistics were procured by previous DepEd leadership in 2021.
Under contract, Transpac shall provide DepEd with logistics, warehousing and tagging services from Oct. 8, 2021 to June 30, 2022.
However, DepEd said Transpac "failed to deliver goods completely and on time," prompting several discussions.
"Since present administration assumed office, continuous efforts were made to either compel delivery of goods as required by contract, or for DepEd to be allowed to pull out and haul learning resources from warehouses to no avail… in exercise of diligence and in interest of recovering goods by all means necessary, DepEd was constrained to resort to legal remedies," DepEd said.
DepEd in accordance with Republic Act 9184 or Government Procurement Reform Act, decided to partially terminate its contract with Transpac last Aug. 30 due to lack of any concrete resolution on issue despite several discussions.
DepEd also instituted legal proceedings against Transpac before regional trial court last Nov. 22, "to recover goods still in Transpac's possession."
Following its filing of civil case, DepEd suddenly received letter from Transpac first week of December informing agency it may now haul items stored in its warehouses.
In its 2022 annual audit report on DepEd, released in August, Commission on Audit (COA) said while supplier had already delivered procured science and mathematics equipment (SME) worth P1.188 billion to DepEd-Central Office, items remained sitting in warehouses, "undelivered to recipient schools as at yearend."
COA said one supplier, identified in the audit report as "Supplier No. 3," even requested from DepEd reimbursement amounting P11.7 million, composed of P8.9 million for temporarily "warehousing goods" and P2.8 million for "hauling/transfer" of items to rented warehouse.
"Amount being requested for reimbursement is only for period April 1, 2022 to Sept. 30, 2022 and may possibly increase if DepEd will not address these concerns immediately," COA report read.
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