Solon wants to revive probe into DepEd’s textbook program

MANILA, Philippines - A senior congressman wants the House of Representatives to re-open its investigation into the alleged collusion between Department of Education officials and textbook suppliers who were responsible in the distribution of error-ridden books. Bacolod City Rep. Monico Puentevella said there is a need for Congress to practice its oversight functions with regard to the questionable implementation of the World Bank’s Second Social Expenditure Management Contract with DepEd. He cited in particular what he called “another disturbing development" in November 2007 where five companies under JTW Consortium bagged a P500 million contract for the printing and delivery of textbooks to public elementary schools across the country. “It seems that the DepEd has not learned its lessons from the past. And these suppliers seem to have a mantle of invulnerability," the administration lawmaker said, during a recent privilege speech. Textbook companies under the JTW consortium are SD publications Inc., Vibal Publishing House Inc., LAMCO Paper Products Co. Inc. and Watana Phanit Printing Co. “Not only have they remained untouched by all the irregularities concerning their various transactions, but they continue to corner a large share of the market on DepEd textbook requirements," Puentevella said. He was referring to inquiries conducted by both houses of Congress. In 2006, the Senate, through opposition Sen. Panfilo Lacson, discovered that 60,000 textbooks delivered have inverted pages, no margins or loose binding. These books – published by the Vibal Group - also contained “factual and grammatical errors" that forced DepEd to issue a 21-page teacher’s manual entitled “Errata Para sa Sibika at Kultura at Hekasi," where one copy was provided for each classroom. Lacson raised the irregularities of the bidding in the procurement of textbooks worth P2 billion under the WB. He also questioned the awarding to Vibal, which bagged 75 percent of the contracts, amounting to P2.65 billion since 1999. In pushing for the revival of the House probe, Puentevella lamented that the House committee on education did not recommend the filing of charges against DepEd officials after former Secretary Ricardo Gloria apologized, and 36 other books were pulled out. The lawmaker also wanted the members of the Instructional Materials Council, the DepEd’s official textbook evaluators, to be sanctioned or haled to court because they were found to have committed “grave negligence" in reviewing the book. “This gives credence to the allegations that there might be collusion between DepEd officials and its suppliers, to the detriment of the government and the ordinary taxpayer who will be paying for the loan. It is time that this whole matter is brought to light." “Isn’t it the DepEd’s duty to go after erring suppliers if the textbooks are later found to be lacking, defective or standard? Isn’t it the supplier’s responsibility to replace these products free of charge?" Puentevella asked. “Shouldn’t the DepEd blacklist these suppliers given the fact that they have questionable credentials and that they had delivered products that are questionable in quality? Isn’t it the DepEd’s duty that the textbooks bought and distributed pass the standards of quality?" “Shouldn’t the DepEd’s Instructional Materials Council, with its four-tiered inspection process, be held accountable for failure to do their work?" he asked further. Vibal and one of its alleged foreign partners, Watana Printing and Publishing Co. Ltd., were awarded a P500 million supply contract despite having been disqualified due to alleged conflict of interest, as per the inter-agency bids and awards committee of the DepEd. The technical working group also found out that there were interlocking directors, officers and majority stockholders among Vibal, SD publications and LG&M as shown in the articles of incorporation of the three companies. Watana has also authorized LG&M to represent the company in the DepEd bidding for the Secondary Social Expenditure Management Project. - GMANews.TV