Senators unsatisfied with DOH’s explanation on use of COVID-19 funds

Several senators expressed dismay over the justifications made by the Department of Health before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee on the use of its COVID-19 funds, including the late release of hazard pay and allowances of medical frontliners.

In a text message to reporters Thursday, Senate President Vicente Sotto III noted how Health Secretary Francisco Duque III failed to acknowledge his department’s shortcomings and instead blamed others on the issues hounding the release of funds for COVID-19 response.

“No, I’m not,” Sotto said when asked if he is satisfied with Duque’s explanation.

“For one, he blames others and never their lack of responsibility. Let’s wait for the next hearing,” the Senate chief added

Sotto said many other issues were not taken up and some matters remain unexplained during the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee last Wednesday.

He suggested requiring physical presence of the resource speakers when tackling “sensitive” issues like these.

Senator Imee Marcos likewise hit Duque for passing the blame on the issue of special risk allowances and health care workers benefits.

“Tumigil siya! Ilabas niya ang totoong kwenta ng bilyon-bilyong binigay sa DOH, kausapin lahat ng health workers at ospital nang malaman ang utang ng DOH sa kanila,” she said.

(He should disclose the actual liquidation of billions of funds in the DOH. He must talk to the health workers and the hospitals to determine how much was the DOH’s debt to them.)

Earlier today, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon also told Duque to stop pointing fingers and placing blame on others on the fact that healthcare workers have not been paid with their benefits and special risk allowances.

Drilon said Duque’s explanation on the delayed release of benefits is “totally unsatisfactory” as he reiterated that data shows DOH failed to obligate funds intended for the medical frontliners’ allowances.

Furthermore, Marcos slammed Duque for allegedly turning a blind eye on the alleged overpricing in the procurement of face masks and face shields which was coursed through the Department of Budget and Management- Procurement Service (DBM-PS).

“Higit sa lahat, tigilan 'yang sagot na "I will look into it!” Ano yun, nagbubulag- bulagan siya sa mga kababalaghan dyan sa DBM-PS at DOH, na wala siyang nakikita, at titignan pa lang niya?! Tumigil siya!” Marcos said.

(He must refrain from telling us that “I will look into it!” Does this mean he is turning a blind eye on the transactions in the DBM-PS and the DOH?)

During the Senate Blue Ribbon hearing last Wednesday, Marcos and Drilon raised the issue of overpriced face shields and face masks which was earlier flagged by the Commission on Audit.

She asked during the hearing why the DOH suddenly transferred the P42.4 billion worth of procurement to the DBM-PS even though she claimed that the Health officials are still capable of holding several procurement biddings.

In a statement Thursday, Marcos claimed that these overpriced face masks and face shields are stocked in the warehouses of DOH and DBM-PS and these items were being sold to various local government units.

“Sabi ng DOH pinamimigay nila sa LGU - sabi ng governors and mayors, binebenta ng DOH sa kanila, na di nila kayang bilhin at ang mamahal nga,” she claimed.

(The DOH said they are distributing it to the LGUs but the governors and the mayors said the DOH is selling these items to them which they cannot afford because these are very expensive.)

It is the reason why these items were not liquidated, Marcos said.

“Kaya di ma-liquidate itong P42.4-B kase andun pa sa bodega ng DOH at DBM-PS ang mga face mask etc. at inayawan ng mga LGU, ospital, atbp. Why does DBM-PS "sell" to DOH, and DOH in turn sell to LGUs? Ang labo!” she added.

(The P42.4 billion cannot be liquidated because these items are still in the warehouses of the DOH and the DBM-PS because the LGUs, the hospitals refused to buy these face masks, etc. Why does DBM-PS "sell" to DOH, and DOH in turn sell to LGUs? It’s confusing.)

The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee will continue its investigation into the deficiencies in the DOH’s utilization of P67.32 billion in COVID-19 funds on August 25.—AOL, GMA News