PUP's purchase of video phones and LCD TVs questioned

MANILA, Philippines - Officials of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), a government-owned educational institution, are now being asked to justify the school’s purchase of video phones and 32-inch Sony Bravia LCD television sets in 2010.

The Commission on Audit (COA), in a 2011 report released yesterday, said the lack of proper planning and the absence of the Terms of Reference failed to establish the cost benefit analysis on the need to purchase such communication equipment worth P17,840,000 for a video conferencing and security system project.

The COA report said PUP purchased 23 units of Grandstream GXV 3000 video phones along with 23 32-inch Sony Bravia LCD television equipment inclusive of programming and installation and a three-year line service and security system from Technetworks Corp. in April 26, 2010 for its video conferencing and security system project for its 19 campuses.

The project supposedly aims to improve communication, collaboration and to enhance information flow within the PUP system and lower communication expenses, but the purchase did not seem to lower communication expenses because on top of the line service of P7,777.78 per unit per month or P2,146,667.28 a year for the 23 units, communication expenses from 2009 to 2011 actually increased.