The Commission on Audit (COA) released its 2020 report last August 11, Wednesday, indicating the Department of Health’s (DOH) mismanagement of COVID-19 funds worth P67-billion.
With the health crisis the country is facing, approximately P5 billion was allotted for purchases lacking proper and sufficient documentation procedures, procurement information, and technical specifications.
Millions in cash allowances, gift certificates, and grocery items were also transacted with no legal basis, while around P12 billion are unobligated funds, improperly charged, not used for intended purposes, or unused at all. Around P4 million are unpaid liquidated damages, and approximately P81 million are “doubtful liquidations” of PhilHealth claims.
Meanwhile, approximately P1.4 billion worth of medical equipment and in-kind donations were not immediately utilized or properly documented.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III insists that the COVID-19 funds were not corrupted, and that the allotment for the procurement of test kits, personal protective equipment (PPEs), payment of healthcare workers’ benefits, and human resources’ salaries was accounted for.
While the DOH maintains that there is no corruption at play, the country faces lapses in its vaccination drive while healthcare workers continue to experience delays with their hazard pay and other benefits. Finally, while there is no effort on the Duterte administration’s part to implement a scientific pandemic response, it is consistent in prioritizing its crackdown on critics and positioning for the 2022 elections.
Featured image courtesy of ABS-CBN News.
