Why do PPEs, other donations need to go through OCD? DOH explains

Donations for healthcare facilities and workers on the frontlines of efforts against the coronavirus disease must go through the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) for inventory and proper allocation, the Department of Health said on Thursday.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III made the statement after netizens questioned the added bureaucratic layer in processing donations.

Duque said OCD was mandated to process donations under Administrative Order No. 27.

“Nakasaad po dito na ang lahat ng donasyon para sa gobyerno o sa DOH... na gagamitin para sa COVID-19 ay ipadadaan sa OCD para sa consolidation,” Duque said. “Ang OCD ay makikipag-ugnayan sa mga ahensya for inventory and allocation.”

Duque also clarified that people who wish to bring their donations directly to their chosen recipients still have the option to do so.

“Ang mga donors po na gustong dumiretso [sa pagbibigyan] ay pahihintulutan po. Hindi po nila kinakailangang dumaan sa OCD subalit kailangan ipagbigay-alam ng mga ahensyang tumanggap ng mga donasyong ito ang mga natanggap nila sa OCD,” Duque said.

Robredo investigation urged

A ranking official of President Rodrigo Duterte's anti-corruption body earlier on Thursday urged the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to investigate  Vice President Leni Robredo over her relief drive that allegedly undermined efforts of the national government amid the COVID-19 crisis.

Over the past few weeks, Robredo’s office has been active in providing services for health workers and other frontliners, including donation of PPEs, free shuttle services, and free dormitories.

The OVP has partnered with private donors to raise funds.

“Being a part of the national government, Robredo is barred from competing with the DOH (Department of Health), DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development) and OCD (Office of Civil Defense/NDRRMC (National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), or undermining their efforts, and from soliciting donations, in cash or in kind, from the taxpaying public, especially since funds have already been appropriated or set aside for relief  assistance, disaster mitigation, rehabilitation,” PACC commissioner Manuelito Luna said.

Luna said Robredo may have violated the NDRRMC Law, the Solicitation Permit Law and related issuances as well as the measures and protocols of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID), the government body supervising efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 in the country. -NB, GMA News