THE Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) today lauded the Department of Education (DepEd) for its significant achievements in reforming its textbook procurement process, a move that has broken a decade-long gridlock and promises to deliver essential learning materials to students more efficiently. Following key recommendations from EDCOM, DepEd successfully procured and delivered 60 new textbook titles in 2024 alone, more than doubling the 27 titles procured in the entire preceding decade (2014-2023).
This breakthrough addresses one of the most persistent issues in basic education, which has left the majority of grade levels without a complete set of textbooks for years. Previously, the procurement system was plagued by severe bottlenecks and inefficiencies. The old process was hobbled by a rigid and lengthy manuscript development stage, which had to be repeated annually and contributed to a procurement timeline of over 200 days. During the hearing, Secretary Angara shared how this system led to seven failed biddings for a single subject like MAPEH (or Music, Arts, PE and Health), partly because of impractical requirements for integrated textbooks that were not available in the market.
Furthermore, logistical challenges compounded the problem, with both textbooks and laptops often left stranded in warehouses because delivery was handled under a separate contract from procurement.
“EDCOM 2 came out with a um uh study that only two grades out of the ten grades have a complete set of textbooks”, noted Senator Win Gatchalian, EDCOM 2 Commissioner. “Of course we all know that um textbook is essential input for improved learner outcomes. So I understand that the PhP 12 billion will be allocated next year and there’s also a proposal to allocate more. I support this”, he continued.
Under the guidance of EDCOM 2, DepEd has implemented transformative changes to its procurement strategy. The procurement process has been streamlined, reducing the timeline from 210 days to just 60 days. Instead of developing manuscripts from scratch each year, DepEd now pre-accredits and pre-selects titles developed by the private sector, a move that not only speeds up the process but also supports the local publishing industry as envisioned by the Book Development Law. In a significant policy shift, DepEd’s regional offices are now empowered to select titles from a central menu and manage their own procurement, allowing for more responsive and localized acquisition of learning materials. The logistical nightmare of materials stuck in warehouses has been resolved by integrating delivery into the supplier’s contract, ensuring a direct path from producer to school.
Senator Bam Aquino expressed his support for the new decentralized approach, emphasizing the need for accountability. “I support that delivery at the regional level but the safeguards are very important ,” he stated, highlighting the importance of ensuring that regional-level procurement is transparent and effective. “We want to decentralize…but we need to have more bidding and more transparent processes as well”, Aquino continued.
These reforms represent a major victory for Filipino learners and a testament to the collaborative efforts between DepEd and EDCOM 2. By ensuring that quality textbooks reach classrooms in a timely manner, the nation moves closer to providing the quality education that every Filipino child deserves.
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