COA flags P5.6-B DepEd feeding program in 2023

NEW CONTROVERSY The 2023 feeding program of the Department of Education, then led by Vice President Sara Duterte, was marred by complaints about moldy and expired bread, and delays in or the nondelivery of food meant for needy students. —Inquirer file photo

MANILA, Philippines — State auditors have flagged the Department of Education (DepEd) over its feeding program in 2023 after it discovered delays in the delivery, or at times, the nondelivery, of nutribun and milk intended for students in three regions. Some of the food items were also found to be unfit for consumption due to molds, pests, or because these were past their expiration date.

Based on the Commission on Audit’s (COA) audit observation for the fiscal year 2023 on DepEd, which was then still headed by Vice President Sara Duterte, at least 21 Schools Division Offices (SDOs) reported delays or even the nondelivery of food products and pasteurized milk for the School Based Feeding Program (SBFP).

The SBFP had a funding of P5.69 billion, according to COA. However, state auditors discovered problems when it came to the food that was supposed to be served to students as part of the DepEd’s “commitment to provide good nutrition to learners.”

In the DepEd regional offices of Metro Manila, Central Luzon, and Northern Mindanao, the audit team found there were either unsanitary packaging, questionable expiry dates, or pests and molds on the bread meant for students.

In particular, they noted that the DepEd office in Quezon City had root crops and fruits that were “not individually packed in cling wrap.” In addition, the weight of at least five food items purchased and distributed under the program was below their prescribed serving sizes.

Pests, insects found

In the DepEd SDO in Aurora province, the COA team said that during an inspection, there were pests or insects spotted on the “Karabun/Milky bun” and E-nutribun. Other food items delivered were also found to be either rotten, unripe, or crushed, it added.

A total of 1,001 pieces of E-nutribun delivered from September 2023 to January 2024, on the other hand, were returned to suppliers in Misamis Oriental for replacement after these were found to have molds. The buns were also beginning to show signs of discoloration, one or two days before their expiry dates, based on COA’s observations.

Poorly packaged

“Some items were delivered in poor condition, as some packaging diffused with no reasonable amount of air to maintain their freshness and when pressed with considerable extent of strength, the packaging likewise diffuses,” the auditors said in their report.

In Iligan City, meanwhile, the audit team said the packaging of the food items had “irreconcilable expiry dates.” Other food products had manufacturing dates that were “not easily discernible,” contrary to the terms of the contract, it added.

In response to these findings, the state auditors recommended that all school divisions address these issues by, among others, incorporating “extra options or alternatives” in their menu for the food distribution program.

DepEd response

As for the insect-infested buns, COA said that the DepEd had reported that it instructed its inspection team to examine the food preparation site of the supplier concerned.

The DepEd also assured COA that it would closely monitor the implementation of the feeding program in Aurora.

“The audit team recognizes that food commodities provided to SBFP beneficiaries play a crucial role in nourishing their growth and development, enhancing their immune system, and improving their overall health and nutrition,” the COA said. “It is imperative that all inspections include monitoring the delivery of these [nutritious food products] as part of the feeding program.”

At the same, state auditors directed the schools division in Misamis Oriental to require the supplier to replace the moldy nutribuns.