DepEd cancels bidding for P4.2-million ham and cheese for Christmas Party

The Department of Education now cancelled the bidding for the supply of ham and cheese intended for the Central Office Christmas Party after they receive criticisms.

As posted on Nov. 12, DepEd invites bidding for P4.278-million worth of ham and cheese or P2.982 million for 4,260 pieces of ham and P1.296 million for 2,160 pieces of cheese. The said invitation to bid is now removed at the DepEd website.

“The call for bidding has been cancelled. It was regular procurement but it is inappropriate at this time when our employees are severely affected by recent disasters,” the DepEd said.

It has “since reallocated the funds for the needs of those affected” by typhoons “Rolly” and “Ulysses” as well as the “ongoing COVID-19 effort for our employees,” DepEd added.

DepEd said that other regional and division offices “have also pitched in to help our teachers and learners on the ground.”

“The welfare of our teachers and learners remains to be our priority and more so at this time,” DepEd added.

DepEd PAS Director June Gudoy explained that the said invitation to bid “is a regular procurement” which is “allocated beforehand like other government agencies during this season.”

He added that the posting of the said invitation is a “requirement for transparency of government procurement” and that it has “been included in the 2019 budget for employees.”

He said that the bidding invitation is “now moot” and the “reallocation will prioritize those affected.”