The Department of Health (DOH) reiterated on Thursday (Sept. 16) that the transfer of funds to the procurement service of the Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM) was done to immediately provide personal protective equipment (PPE) to healthcare workers at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic last year, following existing laws, rules and regulations.
“Hindi pwedeng pabayaan natin ang ating healthcare workers na magkasakit o mamatay habang walang supply,” Secretary of Health Francisco Duque III said.
“Hindi pwedeng dahilan ang kawalan ng supply upang hindi tayo magbigay ng PPE. The government acted out of urgency. Kung hindi tayo nag-bayanihan, baka wala pang PPE na nakuha ang ating healthcare workers.”
The Commission on Audit (COA) said during the hearing of the House Committee on Good Governance on Wednesday that there was no finding of overpricing when it audited the PS-DBM and the DOH. Moreover, COA previously stated that their report does not mention any findings of funds lost to corruption.
“Kami po sa Kagawaran, we have always been transparent and cooperative with inquiries,” Undersecretary Charade Mercado-Grande said.
“Asahan din po ninyo na hindi titigil ang ating pagtugon sa pandemya sa kabila ng mga alegasyong ating hinaharap. Kami rin po ay nagpapasalamat sa COA sa kanilang mga ginawang paglilinaw sa mga alegasyon hinggil sa Kagawaran,” she added. (DOH) – jlo
