Three officials of the Department of Education (DepEd) in Davao del Norte have been placed under preventive suspension amid allegations of irregularities in school building projects in the province.

Governor Edwin Jubahib expressed dismay over the questionable projects of the DepEd provincial office in Talaingod as investigation continues.

The DepEd-Davao del Norte officials allegedly involved were suspended so as not to influence the investigation.

“Ang classroom man gud importante sa atong kabataan pangitaan nato og paagi nga ma-solve ni, mabalik ang kwarta mobarog ang eskwelahan, completed based sa specs nga gihatag sa DepEd and mahatagan og parusa ang naa sa luyo ani,” Jubahib said.

Based on a report from the Commission on Audit (COA), the contractor of a school building in Sitio Dulyan has already been paid even if the project is still unfinished. Another project in Sitio Kamingawan is yet to begin.

“Kani sa Sitio Kamingawan nga mao pay pagsugod og trabaho so mao ning dako nga problema karon gisigehan daw og trabaho pero tungod kay na-belong sa 90 percent na ang accomplishment, pero ang accomplishment is layo pa,” Jubahib added.

According to DepEd-11, the preventive suspension of three officials will last 90 days.

DepEd-11 appealed to the public not to jump to conclusions while investigation is ongoing.

“Buot namo hangyuon ang katawhan, please stop maligning. I’ve seen a lot of post maligning the concerned individual. Wala ta sa position nga mag-condemn sa ilaha. There is an appropriate body looking at the details now and the review of everything they are working into a specific timeline,” DepEd-11 Spokesperson, Jenelito Atillo, said.

Meanwhile, Jubahib is set to meet with DepEd-11 officials regarding the implementation of the projects.

“Dapat dili na sila modawat og mga mo-implement og mga projects labi na nga mas dagkong kantidad, especially sa mga school building construction, dili ingon ana ka-capable ang department to implement this kind of project. Kini man gud, kinahanglan og kumpleto nga manpower… dili isalig sa usa ka tao lang para masigurado ang implementation sa project 100 percent,” Jubahib said.

More than P36 million was allocated for the projects.

GMA Regional TV One Mindanao is reaching out to the officials involved for a statement, as of this writing.