BACOLOD City Councilor Renecito Novero said on Monday, June 19, that he is expecting the Department of Education (DepEd) to use the speech laboratory equipment installed in 22 public high schools starting this school year.
He said he was informed that the equipment is still subject for inspection to determine if the supplier complied with its obligation.
“I hope this equipment will be functional so that our students can use it anytime this year,” Novero said.
Nikka Trading has installed a total of 688 computers at Mandalagan National High School, Angela Gonzaga National High School, Bacolod City High School and Bata National High School.
Barangay Singcang-Airport National High School, Cabug National High School, Domingo Lacson National High School, Emiliano Lizares National High School, Fr. Gratian Murray, FSC Integrated School; Handumanan National High School, Generoso Villanueva National High School, Jovito Sayson National High School, Luis Hervias National High School, Luisa Medel National High School, Mansilingan Agro Industrial High School also have computers installed by Nikka Trading.
M. Medalla Integrated School, Paglaum Village National High School, Romanito Maravilla National High School, Sum-ag National High School, Teofilo Gensoli National High School, Alangilan National High School, and Abkasa National High School also have computers installed in their campus.
In 2016, the DepEd refused to accept the equipment after they found out that the supplier delivered the units not in accordance with the specifications they requested.
The previous administration had already issued a check worth P38,683,507.50 as payment to Nikka Trading for the acquisition of 22 sets of K to 12 Interactive Language Laboratory, but the payment was withheld when the transition team of Mayor Evelio Leonardia discovered the transaction.
Novero said information technology personnel were deployed to various schools to examine the units.
He said the City Legal Office will double check the compliance of the supplier so that they will be paid.
