DepEd: new trucks purchased before the pandemic, to reach areas with poor roads

Undersecretary of Administration DepEd Alain Pascua. SOURCE: DEPED FACEBOOK PAGE

MANILA, Philippines – An official from the Department of Education (DepEd) has clarified that the agency’s purchase of new pickup trucks was made before the COVID-19 pandemic that affected nations around the world, and that these vehicles they would be used to reach remote areas in off-road condition.

Undersecretary Alain Pascua explained Monday that the trucks – 166 units of the Mitsubishi Strada 4 × 4 GLS MT variant that sparked controversy among thrifty netizens – were meant to be the vehicles of his engineers who would check structures like school buildings in distant locations. towns and those with difficult terrain.

He added that the vehicles will also be used for possible calamities such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, conditions that require 4 × 4 trucks.

“Those vehicles were purchased before the pandemic. And when we were about to distribute them, naabutan ng ECQ kaya kailan lang yan naidistribute [the enhanced community quarantine had been imposed that is why it was not distributed]”Pascua told reporters in a message.

“The vehicles are for field engineers for their inspection of school building programs in remote areas, in the mountains and areas where only 4 × 4 is possible, our last mile schools are. They will also be (commanded) by DRRM coordinators in times of calamities and emergencies, such as during the Mindanao earthquakes and the Taal volcano eruption, only 4 × 4 can cross there, ”he added.

(The vehicles are for field engineers for their inspection of school construction programs in remote areas, especially in mountains and places accessible only to 4 × 4 vehicles, where the last mile schools are located. They will also be commanded by DRRM coordinators in times of calamities and emergencies, such as the Mindanao earthquakes and the Taal volcano eruption).

But Pascua also noted that the vans have already been used to aid in the transportation of modules, teachers, and in times of calamity where assistance from DepEd may be needed.

“During ECQ, DepEd used those vehicles to help transport the front lines,” he said. “Walang public transport nun, ginamit namin mga yan to serve the needs of the avant-garde. Before the opening of the school and even until now, these vehicles have been used and are being used in the delivery of modules, in the transport of teachers and in emergency care. “

(During ECQ, DepEd used those vehicles to help transport the former. Since there was no public transportation during that time, it was used to serve the former’s needs. Before the school opened and even until now , these vehicles have been used and are being used in the delivery of modules, in the transportation of teachers and in the treatment of emergencies).

“DepEd really bought that to better serve and serve our people, especially in remote areas that are not accessible by common vehicles,” he stated.

(That was purchased by DepEd to allow us to better serve people, especially those in remote areas that cannot be reached with normal vehicles.)

Reports were released on Sunday that DepEd obtained several vehicles for field engineers, which will be used for regular field inspections. But when the photos of the trucks were published, netizens compared it to the problem of dolomite, when the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) advanced with the beautification of P349 million of the Manila Bay in the middle of a pandemic. .

Some critics questioned why DepEd prioritized vehicle purchase when many teachers and students find it difficult to meet the requirements of online classes – distance and blended learning schemes that were deemed necessary to prevent coronavirus transmissions.

Before the new school year began on October 5, several student groups called for an academic freeze, or a total suspension from the next school year due to a lack of preparedness from the schools and the DepEd.

But the Secretary of Education, Leonor Briones, shrugged, saying that the reopening of classes is a victory against the COVID-19 pandemic.

JPV

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