The Department of Education (DepEd) will verify the procurement documents of the Digital Single-Lens Reflex (DSLR) cameras that are tagged as allegedly overpriced, its spokesperson Michael Poa said on Wednesday.
This comes after Bayan secretary general Renato Reyes Jr. uploaded a Facebook post of a professional photographer showing that an entry-level camera owned by DepEd costs Php 155,929.
Reyes pointed out that the same brand of camera is sold for Php 23,000 only on the online shopping platform Lazada.
In a statement, Poa said the DepEd Public Affairs Services procures and uses DSLR Mark IV and not entry-level cameras like the photo that Reyes posted.
"Nonetheless, I have instructed the Public Affairs Service to request for 2019 procurement docs just to verify the type of cameras procured/purchased, specifically in the regions," he said.
The Bayan Secretary general also cited in his post that DepEd Caraga previously approved the budget of Php 170,000 for the procurement of a mirrorless DSLR camera with entry-level specs.
According to Poa, the officials of DepEd Caraga told him that the procurement for the mirrorless camera was canceled.
"Since the Regional ICT was able to eventually provide 3 conference cameras, the procurement of said DSLRs were cancelled. As to the approved budget of contact, I have asked the region to provide us with the basis used in coming up with the said amount," he said.
Meanwhile, the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) party-list urged the education department to alleged overpriced digital cameras.
In a press statement, the group expressed disappointment at the fact that the department is hounded again with alleged corruption following the overpriced laptop controversy.
"Walang konsiyensa itong mga sangkot sa maling paggasta ng pera ng taumbayan na laan sana sa edukasyon ng mga bata. Dapat lang na imbestigahan ito, tuntunin ang lahat ng nakinabang at kasapakat, at parusahan ayon sa batas," it said.
