By Pearl Gumapos
The Department of Health (DOH) is open to investigations following the Commission on Audit (COA) report that found deficiencies on how DOH managed its P67.32 billion funds.
“Bukas po ang tanggapan namin para sa mga ganitong imbestigasyon at handa po kami magsumite ng aming dokumento. Ito pong P67 billion na sinasabi ay well-accounted for po lahat ‘yan,” DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said on Saturday (Aug. 14) in a Laging Handa public briefing.
“DOH has always been transparent. Lahat po ng pera na naibigay sa amin na gastusin are well-accounted for,” she added.
According to Vergeire, 98% of the funds provided to them during the start of the pandemic have been utilized.
“Nagkaroon pa nga po ng extension itong ating Bayanihan. Itong June nakapagbaba kami ng pera para sa ating healthcare workers,” she said.
Vergeire then asked the public to look at the proper evidence before speaking against the department.
“Gusto ko lang sabihin sa ating mga kababayan na sana po ‘yung paghuhusga, gawin natin kapag kumpleto na po ang lahat ng ating nakikitang ebidensya. Ang ating Kagawaran ng Kalusugan ay patuloy na nagbibigay ng trabaho para sa ating kababayan at pagdating sa kaperahan, hinding-hindi kami gumagawa ng korupsyon,” Vergeire said.
“And COA has clarified it yesterday na ‘yung kanilang ginagawa ay procedural at hindi kailangang bahiran na may korupsyon agad ang aming kagawaran,” she added. –bny