COA chair: PS-DBM face mask, shield purchase an ‘inventory issue’

Commission on Audit (COA) chairperson Michael Aguinaldo said the audit findings on the Procurement Service-Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM)  pointed out “inventory management” issues rather than overpricing.

The official said the recommendations on the audit findings were on “marketing strategies” as there was no movement on the items due to their expensive price.

 “The findings of auditing that handles PS-DBM really pertained more to inventory management and not the overpricing,” Aguinaldo said, referring to the alleged overpriced face masks and shields procured in 2020.

It was earlier found out that some of the procured equipment were not delivered due to problems in inventory and warehousing.

“The problem was hindi po na-dispose kasi a lot of these equipment right away… Noong dumating po no’ng September and the prices went down, the regional offices and the hospitals ng DOH [Department of Health], ayaw nang bumili o kumuha from PS-DBM kasi mahal,” he said.

“Now they’re faced with the problem with a lot of stock but no one wants to get it because it’s expensive, and so mapipilitan ang PS-DBM to dispose of them at a discount,” he added.

The COA has recently flagged the PS-DBM for its procurement of expensive face masks and shields.

Malacaῆang has consistently denied that there were no overpricing and corruption in the purchased personal protective equipment in 2020, including those made with Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corp. -AG-rir

Popular

PBBM reaffirms PH commitment to international law in fostering regional peace

By Brian Campued President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday cautioned against calling all competing maritime disputes on the South China Sea equal, as he...

PBBM pushes for PH trade pact with India

By Brian Campued President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday said the government is “ready to act” and will work closely with its Indian business...

PBBM addresses criticisms, assures sufficient funds for gov’t agendas in his podcast

By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet In episode 2, part 3 of the BBM Podcast, which aired on Wednesday, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. refuted criticisms levied...

PH, India eye deeper health collaboration

By Darryl John Esguerra | Philippine News Agency President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday met with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Chair and Indian Health...