By Alec Go
Malacaῆang said President Rodrigo Duterte is “withholding judgment” until the Department of Health (DOH) submits its comments on the Commission on Audit’s (COA) report on the agency’s pandemic spending.
The COA flagged in its latest audit report some deficiencies in the DOH fund management amounting to P67.32 billion of public funds, amid the country’s battle against the COVID-19 pandemic.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in his Thursday briefing that Duterte already instructed the DOH to properly answer the findings on such deficiencies.
“Ang Presidente naman is withholding judgment until after makasumite ng komento ang DOH doon sa tinatawag na exit conference at magkaroon ng final report ang COA,” he said.
“Alam niya na hindi lahat ng mga paratang o observation ay nasu-sustain after sumagot ng ahensya. Pero alam din po niya na after sumagot ang ahensya at nagkaroon ng final observation ang COA, ay mabigat po ‘yun,” he added.
According to state auditors, the deficiencies “contributed to the challenges encountered and missed opportunities by the DOH” during the national health emergency.
Roque said the issue remains premature pending the response of the health department, which the President “is keen to read.”
“Naglaan tayo ng bilyon-bilyon para sa ating Covid response. At ang inaasahan niya, lahat ‘yan ay magamit para mapakinabangan ng taumbayan… Ang Presidente, walang sinasanto,” he said.
In a statement on Aug. 11, the DOH said the billions-worth fund flagged by state auditors “is accounted for,” while assuring that its funds are “all spent” for healthcare workers and equipment.
Senate probe
Several senators have called for investigation on DOH spending, saying that the department has “a lot of explaining to do.”
“We expect the Senate investigation will help correct these deficiencies, seek accountability and ensure future funds are better managed,” Senator Grace Poe said in her resolution, noting how the funds have “either remained idle or were not properly and immediately used for their purpose.”
Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said the “alarming and disturbing” findings must be closely examined amid corruption allegations.
“While we see a shortage of beds, PPEs, ventilators, oxygen tanks, the DOH incurred P24.64 billion in unobligated funds that could have augmented our medical resources and paid on time the risk allowance of our medical frontliners,” he said.
Meanwhile, Senator Panfilo Lacson said the issue will “definitely be taken up during the deliberations of the DOH’s 2022 budget,” adding that this has been included in “many other issues hounding the agency.” –rir
