DepEd cracks whip vs logistics firm
Due to the failure of the logistics firm to deliver the goods completely and on time, several discussions were held between the parties for the fulfillment of Transpac’s obligations.
Daily TribuneDue to the failure of the logistics firm to deliver the goods completely and on time, several discussions were held between the parties for the fulfillment of Transpac’s obligations.
The Department of Education on Friday revealed that it has started hauling various learning resources from the warehouses of a logistics firm which allegedly had been holding hostage school equipment.
DepEd said that the firm — identified as Transpac Cargo Logistics Inc. — was tapped to provide DepEd with logistics, warehousing, and tagging services from 8 October 2021 to 30 June 2022.
However, due to the failure of the logistics firm to deliver the goods completely and on time, several discussions were held between the parties for the fulfillment of Transpac's obligations.
"Our regional and division offices have immediately started hauling the goods. The DepEd aims to completely haul and deliver the goods to our public schools in the next few weeks," said the agency.
"Since the present administration assumed office, continuous efforts were made to either compel delivery of the goods as required by contract, or for DepEd to be allowed to pull out and haul the learning resources from the warehouses — to no avail. Thus, in the exercise of diligence, and in the interest of recovering the goods by all means necessary, DepEd was constrained to resort to legal remedies," it added.
On 30 August 2023, prompted by the lack of any concrete resolution to the issue, the DepEd partially terminated its contract with Transpac, in accordance with Republic Act 9184, otherwise known as the Procurement Law.
On 22 November 2023, the DepEd also instituted legal proceedings, before the Regional Trial Court, to recover the goods that are still in Transpac's possession.
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. However, the agency stressed that this is not a simple case of unpaid warehouse fees as has been inaccurately framed by some outfits.
"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," said the DepEd.