Transparency, compliance raised over DOH fund transfer to PS-DBM

The fund transfer of the Department of Health (DOH) to the Procurement Service-Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM) was legal, but lacked transparency, the group Institute for Leadership, Empowerment and Democracy said.

“Ang issue rito ay ang kawalan ng memorandum of agreement between the DOH and the Procurement Service in view of the sheer amount,” Zyza Nadine Suzara, the group's executive director, said.

Suzara said PS should have uploaded the documents related to the transaction with the DOH in procuring face masks and face shields as mandated by the Bayanihan laws.

She also pointed out that the PS should only be in charge of buying common use supplies like papers, pens, tissue, and alcohol, which do not include face masks and face shields.

She claimed the agency had asked the procurement policy board to declare these medical items as common use supplies .

The DOH has been flagged over its transfer of at least P42 billion to the PS-DBM for the procurement of COVID-19 supplies. The matter was also pointed out by the COA in its 2020 audit report.

The alleged overprice in the purchase of face shields and face masks are being investigated in Congress.—LDF, GMA News