The Department of Education (DepEd) over the weekend said it has canceled the supposed bidding for more than P4 million worth of ham and cheese for its Christmas celebration after the project drew criticism online.
The DepEd in a statement said such a project would be “inappropriate” in light of the successive typhoons that hit the Philippines that triggered widespread flooding.
“We have since reallocated the funds for the needs of those affected by typhoons Rolly and Ulysses and the ongoing COVID-19 efforts for our employees,” the education department said.
The DepEd drew flak after a screenshot of its webpage showed an invitation for bidding on a project called “Supply and Delivery of Ham and Cheese for DepEd Central Office Christmas Celebration.” The project was worth P4, 278,000.
According to the invitation, the bidding is equivalent to 4,260 hams and 2,160 cheeses for DepEd officials.
The project earned the ire of netizens who cited the catastrophic effects of successive storms Quinta, Rolly, Siony, Tonyo, and Ulysses on the country. The storms also destroyed many schools particularly in Bicol, Cagayan Valley, and Quezon province.
The DepEd said its officials will visit schools in Cagayan Valley to check on the damage caused by the typhoon.
“After Bicol, our Undersecretaries for Field Operations and Administration will also visit our schools in Cagayan soonest to check the needs of our schools. The welfare of our teachers and learners remains to be our priority and more so at this time,” it said.
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