DepEd finds itself in a new controversy yet again after a post reveals that they allegedly purchased an entry-level DSLR camera for Php 155k.

It seems that DepEd could not get a break from overpriced equipment: after facing much flak on overpriced laptops last year, the latest gaffe haunting DepEd is its acquisition of a DSLR camera that’s priced way beyond its actual value.

In a now-deleted Facebook post, a netizen called out DepEd for allegedly purchasing a Canon EOS 1500D with kit lens for Php 155,929. A quick search over at reputable camera stores like Henry’s Professional reveal that the EOS 1500D has an actual price of under Php 30,000 with the kit lens. That makes us question where did DepEd spent the remaining Php 125k. What’s even infuriating is that the camera was purchased in 2022, which means that the purchase of the DSLR camera by DepEd was made after the controversial overpriced laptops.

While we would use the word allegedly repeatedly in this story, activist Renato Reyes Jr. posted on his Twitter a number of what appear to be official DepEd acquisition documents dating back to 2019. In one post, the DepEd allegedly proposed a Php 500,000 budget for one DSLR/mirrorless camera and professional camcorder, while another set of documents allegedly increased that budget to Php 816,168. The inflated budget consists of the following:

• Two DSLR cameras with lens and battery pack
• One camcorder
• One DSLR battery grip
• Two 2-way tripod heads
• One condenser shotgun microphone

There’s also a third proposal, where DepEd allegedly approved a Php 170,000 budget for a mirrorless camera–though the specs refer to a mid-range, APS-C Sony camera that should not cost over Php 100,000 even with the lens included.

While these “receipts” are infuriating–considering that DepEd previously faced controversy over overpriced laptops–we advise you to take this with a grain of salt and wait for authorities to conduct an investigation on this.