THREE Department of Education (DepEd) Division Davao del Norte officials were placed under preventive suspension following unimplemented school building projects.
This follows after the Commission on Audit (COA) flagged the non-implementation and partial implementation of two school building projects in Talaingod municipality in Davao del Norte.
Deped Davao spokesperson Jenielito Atillo said the officials include the schools division superintendent, the assistant schools division superintendent, and the schools facilities section head.
Atillo said the audit inquiry found that the school building at Camingawan Elementary School was not implemented, and the Dulyan Integrated School was only partially completed, with several amenities incomplete.
“That’s why I said not to immediately describe it as a ghost project because they were included in the official list of programs, they were just not implemented,” Atillo said in an interview with city-run radio on Feb. 17.
The two school building projects have a cost estimate of P36 million sourced from the DepEd “Last Mile” Schools program. Atillo said a portion of the budget was already released to the contractor.
The official clarified that the Department of Public Works and Highways is not involved in the construction.
The Last Mile Schools Program aims to address the gaps in resources and facilities of schools that are located in geographically isolated, disadvantaged, and conflict-affected areas.
The project focuses on building standard classrooms, providing electricity (solar), water, and internet, deploying teachers, and providing learning materials to schools.
Atillo said the preventive suspension does not necessarily mean the officials are guilty, as the investigation is still ongoing.
“I appeal that we have to respect the rights of the concerned, as they are still under investigation. We hope this will be resolved in an appropriate manner,” he said.
