DepEd Accelerates Textbook Procurement Process
The Department of Education (DepEd) is actively working to speed up the textbook procurement process after concerns were raised about its slow fund utilization. The low disbursement rates for the textbook delivery program, which stood at only 11 percent in 2023 and 17 percent in 2024, have drawn criticism from various government watchdogs and lawmakers.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara assured that the agency is implementing new strategies to improve efficiency in the procurement and delivery of textbooks. These efforts aim to address the challenges highlighted during budget hearings and ensure that students receive learning materials on time.
Innovative Approaches to Streamline Procurement
One major change involves combining tasks that were previously handled separately. According to officials, the textbook procurement process used to be divided into three distinct phases: manuscript creation, printing, and delivery. This segmentation caused delays and inefficiencies.
Now, DepEd is requiring printing companies to also handle the delivery of textbooks. “Whoever supplies the textbooks is also responsible for their delivery,” Angara explained. This shift shortens timelines and reduces the complexity of coordination between different contractors.
Additionally, the department is leveraging provisions under the New Government Procurement Reform Act to further accelerate procurement procedures. This legal framework allows for more flexible and faster acquisition methods, which DepEd hopes to maximize.
Early Procurement and Pre-Accreditation of Titles
DepEd is also adopting the practice of early procurement to avoid repeated yearly bidding processes. Since new textbooks do not need to be purchased annually, this method aims to reduce redundant administrative steps and speed up availability.
Secretary Angara emphasized the importance of pre-accrediting textbook titles, a system inspired by private sector practices. “We have seen that we do not need to do procurements yearly or the same cumbersome process because now we want to pre-accredit titles,” he said.
This approach expands the pool of approved learning materials beyond those curated exclusively by DepEd. “There are so many authors in the Philippines and the private schools use their books. So we’ve widened that, we have a system of pre-accreditation already,” Angara added.
Budget Utilization and Delivery Challenges
Last August, a government policy research group highlighted the Department’s budget utilization performance. While DepEd’s overall obligation rate (OR) has averaged a high 89.2 percent since 2020, some programs, including the textbook delivery initiative, showed troublingly low disbursement rates (DR).
Obligation rate refers to the percentage of allocated funds downloaded to an agency, while disbursement rate measures actual payments for delivered goods and services. DepEd’s textbook program registered a DR of only 11 percent in 2023 and 17 percent in 2024, signaling delays in converting allocated funds into tangible outputs.
Furthermore, other projects such as the computerization program and feeding initiatives also recorded low ORs and DRs, sparking concerns about the government’s ability to efficiently deliver public services.
Commitment to Improvement
Local leaders and education officials acknowledged these challenges but remain committed to enhancing the procurement process. By integrating delivery responsibilities, accelerating timelines, and adopting innovative procurement reforms, DepEd aims to ensure that textbooks and learning materials reach students promptly.
These reforms reflect a broader recognition that educational resources can come from diverse sources and that improving procurement efficiency is key to supporting quality education nationwide.
For more news and updates on education procurement, visit Filipinokami.com.
