Following the Commission on Audit’s (COA) findings on the reported P938,000 in overpayments under the Senior High School (SHS) Voucher Program – covering 58 beneficiaries whose eligibility could not be verified – the Department of Education (DepEd) clarified that these beneficiaries were identified as either dropouts, transferees, or deceased learners.
As part of its 5-layer validation, DepEd, in a statement, said that through its co-manager of the SHS Voucher Program, Private Education Assistance Committee (PEAC), has completed its School Year 2025-2026 validation.
DepEd said that through this year-end validation, flagged cases are being reviewed and confirmed overpayments will be recovered.
‘The revised Education Service Contracting and Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (E-GASTPE) Guidelines issued in April 2026 has also tightened beneficiary validation, billing, refund, and accountability measures,’ the statement read.
Likewise, DepEd said that the Department’s Government Assistance and Subsidies Service (GASS) continues to monitor participating schools and enforce compliance.
It can also be recalled that DepEd has previously filed cases against individuals found responsible for irregularities.
In July 2026, a Regional Trial Court in the National Capital Region has convicted an individual for attempting to defraud the Senior High School Voucher Program through falsified billing statements.
DepEd will continue to pursue accountability and the recovery of government funds where warranted.
DepEd remains committed to ensuring that public funds are properly accounted for and used for their intended purpose, DepEd assured.