DepEd to expedite purchase of textbooks – Angara

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MANILA, Philippines — Education Secretary Sonny Angara on Monday ordered to expedite the procurement of textbooks and other learning tools and speed up the Department of Education’s (DepEd) infrastructure projects for 2025.

Angara issued DepEd Memorandum 049, s. 2024, mandating the Early Procurement Activities (EPA) across the agency, with bidding processes set to begin as early as October 2024.

“We are making every effort to improve our procurement process and accelerate its pace,” Angara’s statement read.

READ: Probe sought on DepEd textbook lack, process

According to the DepEd, the EPA will allow the agency to ensure that contracts for goods, infrastructure projects, and consulting services are awarded ahead of 2025, covering all procurement stages.

The EPA will apply to all DepEd’s procurement projects through Competitive Bidding and Alternative Methods, excluding repeat orders, emergency cases, and small-value procurements.

The DepEd Central Office will focus on high-priority projects, including textbooks, e-Learning Cart packages, testing materials, and learning equipment.

Meanwhile, the regional and schools division offices will focus on their respective projects, including those overseen by the central office such as smart-TV packages, laptops, school furniture, electrification projects, school health facilities, and the construction of last-mile school buildings.

Based on the DepEd’s timeline, the agency is targeting to award contracts and Notices to Proceed by January 2025.