TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte — State auditors have uncovered major irregularities involving ₱83.2 million worth of public school infrastructure developments across Davao del Norte, citing non-existent structures, deserted sites, and unfinished work despite near-full financial disbursements.
The findings were detailed in the 2025 annual audit report on the Department of Education (DepEd), published by the Commission on Audit (COA) on September 23.
The audited initiatives included the Last Mile Schools Program, school electrification and power system upgrades, classroom repairs, and the construction of campus health facilities.
Among the flagged developments was a ₱36.35-million Last Mile Schools project allocated for two campuses in Talaingod. At Kamingawan Elementary School, auditors expected a single-storey, two-classroom building equipped with a solar energy system, furniture, rainwater collector, and water infrastructure.
However, state auditors classified the site as a “ghost/non-existent project,” stating that “no structure was found upon inspection but paid up to 98.8 percent.”
At nearby Dulyan Integrated School, while the physical building and rainwater collector were built, the solar power system and furniture were never delivered—despite the contractor receiving 98.8% of total payment.
In Kapalong, auditors highlighted another Last Mile Schools project worth ₱25.61 million at Dugayan National High School, intended for a two-storey, six-classroom facility with amenities.
“Upon inspection, building construction was found to be largely incomplete and abandoned,” COA stated, adding that “only the structural frame had been constructed.”
Contractors for the Kapalong project had already collected 98.9% of the contract value.
The audit also revealed deficiencies in electrification projects totaling ₱10.42 million across two municipalities.
Distribution transformers, panel boards, and outlets were undelivered or uninstalled at New Casay Integrated School in Braulio E. Dujali, while Carmen National High School missed distribution transformers and required roofing work.
In San Isidro, a ₱7.53-million repair job on four classrooms at Datu Balong National High School went unexecuted, even though records showed it was > “unrepaired but claimed as implemented and paid up to 98.18% on July 18, 2025,” according to the report.
Additionally, a ₱3.32-million health facility at Gov. Dujali Elementary School was reported as “largely incomplete and abandoned,” having drawn mobilization funds without submitting progress billings.
COA has directed the DepEd Schools Division Office of Davao del Norte to formally cancel the contracts, initiate blacklisting proceedings against the defaulting contractors, and launch a fact-finding investigation.
Auditors urged authorities to file appropriate administrative, criminal, and civil charges against culpable public officials and private contractors while seeking full recovery of disbursed funds.
The audit body further recommended a joint cross-divisional validation alongside COA’s technical group to reconcile records and verify actual site deliveries.