Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 15) — The Department of Education (DepEd) is aiming to distribute “in the next few weeks” various learning materials from the warehouses of Las Piñas-based logistics firm Transpac Cargo Logistics Inc., which supposedly withheld the resources.
In a statement on Friday, the DepEd said it has started hauling the materials stored in 15 warehouses meant for distribution to public schools nationwide.
This came after the agency filed on Nov. 22 a case before a regional trial court to “recover the goods that are still in Transpac’s possession.”
The department in August partially terminated its contract with Transpac after the materials remained undistributed for almost a year due storage fee issues.
The DepEd entered into a ₱667-million deal with Transpac in 2021 during the Duterte administration to procure logistics, warehousing, and tagging services for various learning materials, the agency’s computerization program, school furniture, and other equipment.
“Sometime in the first week of December 2023, the DepEd was in receipt of a letter from Transpac suddenly informing DepEd that it may now haul the goods stored in its warehouses,” the agency said.
“Therefore, our Regional and Division offices have immediately started hauling the goods,” it added. “The DepEd aims to completely haul and deliver the goods to our public schools in the next few weeks.”
Education Undersecretary Omar Romero on Dec. 11 told lawmakers that the logistics provider informed DepEd that the pullout of materials “should be no later than Dec. 31.”
But Romero said the department had asked Transpac for a two-week extension as it “is unlikely that DepEd will be able to pull out all the goods.”
In its statement, DepEd emphasized that the issue “was not a simple case of unpaid warehouse fees.”
“Payment to providers may only be done upon the fulfillment of obligations and corresponding submission of complete documentation as required by accounting, auditing, and other pertinent rules and regulations for the disbursement of funds,” it explained.
The Makabayan bloc filed this week House Resolution No. 1516, urging the lower chamber’s panels on public accounts and education to probe the billions of pesos worth of learning materials allegedly “held hostage” by Transpac.
Citing reports, the lawmakers said the company has been holding off delivery of some materials over the DepEd’s supposed failure to settle warehouse fees
