Earlier, Commission on Audit called out the DepEd over its “irregular, unnecessary, excessive, and extravagant” spending in 2018 which involved P316.62 million spent on trainings and other activities allegedly held at resorts and tourist spots.“The report concluded that all training activities were done in lavish venues when the location or venue of the activity happened to be in a tourist destination,” said Secretary Leonor Briones.
DepEd added that the selection of venues and facilities is “approved only when it adheres to existing policies and guidelines on procurement, and with consideration to the need for prudence and economy in government service, suitability to the nature of activity, accessibility to the participants, and safety and security in the proposed location, among others.”
DepEd noted that while its resident auditor stated in its observation report that around P312.1 million was spent on trainings, conventions, and seminar workshops hosted by DepEd Central Office from January to December 2017, the agency underscores that the “amount is equivalent to only 7.5% of its P4B annual budget for training and development programs.”
The said amount, DepEd added, already “includes board and lodging, training fees, cost of handouts, supplies, materials, meals/snacks, and all other related training expenses.”