HOUSE Assistant Majority Leader and Lanao del Sur 1st District Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong on Monday demanded action against contractors during the Duterte administration until the time of Vice President Sara Duterte as secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd) who failed to fulfill their Last Mile Schools Program (LMSP) contracts, noting that only 50 percent of the P20.54 billion allocated had been used and calling their inaction a “disservice” to students in remote areas.
During budget deliberations for DepEd’s proposed P793.18-billion budget for 2025, Adiong strongly condemned the supposed delays in the delivery of essential resources, including computers, under the LMSP and urged DepEd to pursue legal action against suppliers who have not met their obligations.
The delays date back to 2020 during the Duterte administration and continued until 2023 when DepEd was led by Vice President Sara Duterte, who resigned on July 19. She has since been replaced by new DepEd secretary, Sonny Angara.
“You’re asking for a P10 billion budget for the same program, yet you have not utilized the remaining funds properly, and you did not even file a complaint against these erring suppliers,” Adiong said, stressing the urgent need to hold these companies accountable for their failures.
The LMSP aims to address facility gaps in schools located in difficult terrains and isolated islands by upgrading makeshift classrooms and infrastructure, particularly in schools without electricity.
Adiong noted that only 50 percent, or approximately P10.29 billion, of the P20.54 billion allocated under the LMSP had been utilized, raising serious concerns about the department’s efficiency.
Despite the program’s goal to construct facilities in 152 sites, Adiong questioned why a significant portion of the funds remained unutilized and why there were substantial delays in completing these projects, especially as the department is now seeking an additional P10 billion—an amount DepEd later clarified was actually P3 billion.
Adiong demanded answers on the causes of these delays and why funds were reverted despite being obligated for the program.
DepEd Undersecretary Epimaco Densing III explained that three contractors were initially selected for the LMSP, but only one completed 95% of the work.
He said the other two contractors, including one responsible for projects in Mindanao, failed to deliver, with one producing zero output.
“When the infrastructure strand was created, we talked to the three contractors, giving them a chance to continue. After they were given a certain deadline, only one of the contractors was able to finish, I think, 95% of what was allotted to it. The other one managed around 25% or 30%,” Densing explained.
He added, “The balance, I think, they will not be able to build anymore. The third contractor had zero output, and this is the contractor in charge of Mindanao. We are now in the process of terminating those contractors who did not comply with their requirements.”
Adiong, representing a far-flung area, emphasized the LMSP’s vital role in providing quality education to the country’s most marginalized communities.
He expressed frustration over the slow pace of project completion, noting that significant funds have been left unutilized or reverted due to contractors’ inefficiencies.
“Why are we spending so much money on equipment when the suppliers haven’t fulfilled their obligations? This is a significant issue,” Adiong argued, stressing that these delays are a disservice to the students who are most in need of these educational resources.
He urged DepEd, under the leadership of Angara, to ensure that accountability is enforced and to take decisive action against those who have deliberately failed to deliver on their contracts.
“I hope that we can see at least a sense of accountability. We need to run after those people who have deliberately… talagang niloko tayo,” Adiong insisted.
In response, Angara assured the House panel that DepEd would take strong measures against those responsible for the delays.
“Yes, Your Honor, we will go after these people and the suggestion to pay special attention, tututukan po namin,” Angara pledged, committing to rectify the program’s shortcomings.
“Sa ibang bansa, kapag dehado ang isang eskwelahan, dehado mga bata, ‘yan ang binibigyan ng pinakamalaking tulong o pondo. Parang dito sa atin ‘di nangyayari po ‘yan, but we will make sure that changes, Your Honor,” he assured.
