Several schools across different regions failed to deliver the Department of Education (DepEd)’s P5.69-billion feeding program effectively last year, according to a recent audit by the Commission on Audit (COA). The audit report highlighted significant lapses, including the delivery of moldy and insect-infested nutribuns, rotting food items, unsanitary packaging, and mislabeled manufacturing and expiry details.
The COA report, covering Vice President Sara Duterte’s last year as DepEd secretary, pointed out that defective food items were found in school division offices in Aurora, Bulacan, Misamis Oriental, Iligan, and Quezon City. In Aurora, pests or insects were found inside the karabun and squash nutribuns. Meanwhile, the audit in Bulacan found that some food items delivered were either rotten, unripe, or crushed.
Misamis Oriental saw 1,001 pieces of nutribun returned to suppliers due to mold and discoloration, while Iligan reported discrepancies in expiry dates on packaging. Quezon City schools raised concerns over poor packaging and the delivery of food items smaller or lighter than specified in the contract.
Additionally, the COA flagged instances where schools in Quezon City distributed more food than required or failed to distribute items as scheduled. Other division offices nationwide, including Mandaluyong, Pasig, and several provinces, did not receive food products on time.
The audit urged DepEd to reprogram unutilized funds and hold suppliers accountable for not meeting delivery specifications. “The interest of the government was not protected, and the safety of the intended beneficiaries was put at risk due to non-conformance with specifications,” COA stated.
The DepEd’s school-based feeding program aims to provide hot meals and milk to enhance students’ nutrition and boost their school performance. However, COA criticized the department’s failure to adhere to its own guidelines, noting that some schools resorted to giving double rations or distributing food to non-eligible students to prevent spoilage.
Amid these challenges, new DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara faced questions in a House budget hearing about the agency’s P748-billion proposed budget for 2025. The committee, led by Rep. Zaldy Co, assured support for the budget, emphasizing the need for improvements in the education system, particularly in enhancing students’ critical thinking and problem-solving skills.