DOH: Many of COA’s major findings ‘resolved’

The Department of Health (DOH) on Monday said that many of the major findings in the Commission on Audit (COA)’s 2020 report have been resolved.

Health Undersecretary Leopoldo Vega, chief of staff of the DOH Administration and Financial Management Team, sought to assure the public that no funds were wasted.

“The audit observations mentioned by COA for the DOH ending December 31, 2020 is not yet the final report and we can still rectify the noted deficiencies so we can improve the efficiency and processes in our system,” he said during a briefing.

In its annual audit report for 2020, COA flagged the DOH over several deficiencies in the agency’s utilization of P67.32 billion in COVID-19 funds. 

‘Resolved’ findings

COA said the DOH had allotments totaling P11.89 billion that remained unobligated as of December 31 last year.

“Hindi po ito nasayang (This did not go to waste),” Vega said. “Due to enactment of continuing appropriations of Bayanihan 2 funds, P4.2 billion or 83% of the P5.1 billion funds have been utilized as of June 2021.”

Vega said these funds were used to pay for the emergency hiring of health workers, the benefits of healthcare workers like the Special Risk Allowance and the death and sickness compensation, and the procurement of medicines and supplies.

He also said the P4.7 billion allotment for foreign-assisted projects “have been requested for reissue of SARO (Special Allotment Release Order)” this year.

“Hindi rin po ito nasayang (This also did not go to waste) because those procurement and other COVID-related activities which were not accomplished last year due to varying factors were done in the first semester of the current year,” Vega said.

The health official added that the P4.8 million worth of unpaid financial assistance to health workers “was already duly paid by the concerned Regional Office.”

Vega also said the finding on the unutilized medical equipment and supplies totaling P74 million has been “mostly resolved,” with most of the said equipment and supplies already being used by hospitals.

Vega said the DOH has “partially resolved” the gaps and lack of documentation in various contracts worth P5 billion after the Procurement Service and Operating Units addressed or were ordered to comply with COA recommendations on the deficiencies.

The DOH executive also said the findings on the P42.41 billion fund transfers made without a memorandum of agreement (MOA) and other supporting documents have been “partially resolved.” 

Vega said the Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management listed COVID-19 supplies as Commonly Used Supplies and Equipment, “thus do not require MOA with procuring entity upon fund transfer.”

He added that “follow-up liquidation with procuring agencies are made” and there is “constant coordination with the procurement agencies to ensure our needed supplies are delivered at the soonest possible time.”

Vega also reiterated an earlier DOH statement claiming that it had already “settled” COA’s concern on the release of some P276 million in cash allowances to health workers. 

Ongoing compliance

Meanwhile, Vega said the DOH is currently complying with COA’s recommendations on lapses in the handling of cash advances and petty cash funds totaling P98 million.

“Directives were given to the concerned operating units to immediately submit complete documentation in support [of[ the liquidation of cash advances,” he explained. — RSJ, GMA News