Latest Posts

bible 3

“Broken Covenant”: Biblical Accounts of God’s Discipline for Idolatry

HUAWEI Season of Giving KV

HUAWEI Elevates the HUAWEI Pura 80 Series’ Mobile Photography Experience with Premium Service for Extended Device Care

Screen Shot 2025-10-17 at 8.12.22 PM

Grill it like it’s Thrilla: Must-try grilling hotspots in Araneta City

DepEd works with Congress, NBI to halt SHS voucher irregularities

Screenshot

SHARE

Committed to upholding transparency and accountability, the Department of Education (DepEd) is pursuing an internal probe into alleged abuses in the Senior High School (SHS) Voucher Program. The DepEd has now tapped the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to launch an independent investigation. 

Eight months into his term, Education Secretary Sonny Angara rallied the Central Office to inform the public of anomalies in the program. He authorized the Executive Committee to pursue all legal and administrative actions necessary to protect the program’s integrity and prevent future irregularities.

Screenshot

“We will ensure that the SHS Voucher Program remains a tool for educational access, not a loophole for fraud. We are strengthening safeguards, reinforcing accountability, and making sure only rightful beneficiaries receive assistance,” Secretary Angara said.

DepEd also assured lawmakers of its full cooperation in addressing concerns regarding the program’s implementation during a House committee hearing last Wednesday, March 19.

Multi-layered verification against fraud

To prevent future irregularities, DepEd is implementing stricter measures and enhanced validation protocols. The verification process now involves multiple layers, beginning with cross-checking data between the Voucher Management System (VMS) and the Learner Information System (LIS) to ensure that learners listed in the billing statements are genuinely enrolled in the school.

The second level of validation is conducted at the Central Office (CO), where discrepancies between billing statements and LIS records are flagged. If inconsistencies are found, payments to schools are withheld until the issues are resolved.

A post-billing monitoring process follows, conducted by the Private Education Assistance Committee (PEAC), which oversees participating schools on the ground. The final layer of verification is DepEd’s post-validation review, ensuring all prior verification processes have been completed before payments are made.

DepEd has also engaged Regional and Schools Division Offices (ROs/SDOs) to conduct school inspections and submit detailed reports to the Central Office, a measure implemented in SY 2024-2025. Additionally, PEAC validation for the second semester is set to begin next month.

School monitoring has also been expanded, with the percentage of schools undergoing evaluation increasing from 10% to 20%.

Future steps

DepEd is set to upgrade the LIS to include an audit trail to track all changes, automatic email alerts for data updates, and a system that maintains a complete learner history.

In addition, DepEd is reviewing proposals for the recognition of SHS private schools to further refine program implementation.

As investigations progress, DepEd reaffirms its commitment to transparency and assures its full cooperation with Congress, the NBI, and other relevant authorities in holding accountable those responsible for any wrongdoing.

*All Photos from DepEd

RELATED ARTICLES

bible 2

Tobit’s Generous Heart, A Lesson for Us

The story of Tobit, found in the Book of Tobit, is one of faithfulness, compassion, and the quiet strength of righteousness. While his name may...
Screen Shot 2025-10-17 at 8.12.22 PM

Grill it like it’s Thrilla: Must-try grilling hotspots in Araneta City

As Araneta City lights up once again to celebrate the legacy of the “Thrilla in Manila,” the air around Cubao carries a familiar kind of...
PUMA Store at SM City La Union

PUMA Opens New Store at SM La Union with Iconic Kicks and Everyday Style to Life

PUMA is heading up north to open its first-ever La Union store on October 17. Situated on the Ground Floor of the new SM Mall...
_C2A9392

Manila Fashion Week Opens with a Stunning Celebration of Filipino Craftsmanship and Modern Design

The inaugural Manila Fashion Week officially opened last night, setting the tone for a landmark celebration of Filipino creativity and innovation in fashion. The first...
shell

Inside the Shell NSAC Journey That Transforms Young Filipino Artists

Now in its 58th year, the Shell National Students Art Competition (NSAC) has stood as one of the country’s longest-running student art competition  for nurturing...
huawei 1

HUAWEI Launches Go Further with HUAWEI Challenge on Strava and HUAWEI Health with Exciting Prizes

HUAWEI is inspiring Filipinos to embrace an active lifestyle with the Go Further with HUAWEI Challenge, a nationwide fitness campaign powered by Strava and HUAWEI...
bible 2

Tobit’s Generous Heart, A Lesson for Us

The story of Tobit, found in the Book of Tobit, is one of faithfulness, compassion, and the quiet strength of righteousness. While his name may...
Screen Shot 2025-10-17 at 8.12.22 PM

Grill it like it’s Thrilla: Must-try grilling hotspots in Araneta City

As Araneta City lights up once again to celebrate the legacy of the “Thrilla in Manila,” the air around Cubao carries a familiar kind of...
PUMA Store at SM City La Union

PUMA Opens New Store at SM La Union with Iconic Kicks and Everyday Style to Life

PUMA is heading up north to open its first-ever La Union store on October 17. Situated on the Ground Floor of the new SM Mall...

Don't Miss

singer 3

Rapper Tom MacDonald Releases Charlie Kirk Tribute Track

trump final

Testimony of Faith and Perseverance at Trump’s Religious Liberty Event

kirk 3

Famous Faces Share Reactions to Charlie Kirk’s Death

kirk 3

Pastors, Vloggers, & Podcasters Pay tribute to Charlie Kirk