PROVINCIAL Board Member Dr. Romulo G. Cepedoza wanted that the reported fund wastage in the amount of over P1.8 million used in bulk procurement of drugs for four government hospitals be investigated in aid of legislation.
In his privilege speech, Cepedoza, Health Committee Chair, “believes that this (fund wastage) warrants an investigation if only to unravel the truth and hopefully spare us from unnecessary losses especially with respect to drugs and medicines.”
Cepedoza lamented that losses in medicines procured and supplied for government hospitals should have never occurred in the first place and those in need of healthcare “do not deserve this kind of loss.”
Presiding over the session, Vice-Gov. Dionisio Victor Balite banged the gavel for the approval of referral of Cepedoza’s motion for his committee to undertake the probe of the expired medicine losses.
The medicines were purchased in bulk in 2022 in the total amount of P1,845,124.52 by Garcia Memorial Provincial Hospital (GMPH) in Talibon town; Cong. Teodoro B. Galagar District Hospital (TBGDH), Jagna town; Cong. Simeon Toribio Memorial Hospital (CSGTMH), Carmen, Bohol; and Catigbian District Hospital (CDH), Catigbian town.
TBGDH loss amounted to P985,195.93; CDH, P453,233.17; CSGTMH, P400,155.19; and GMPH, P6,540.23, Cepedoza said.
Cepedoza said that the expired medicines are mainly based on the Commission on Audit (COA) report and identified the aforesaid hospitals.
All four hospitals which were devolved from the national government are owned and managed by the provincial government.
Gov. Aris Aumentado immediately ordered the hospital chiefs to explain in writing why these drugs expired. And they’re called for a meeting next week, Provincial Board Member Atty. Tomas D. Abapo, Jr. said during the session on January 25.
Cepedoza cited COA’s findings: “Management (refers to hospital management) procured its drugs and medicines for six-month period departing from the three-month requirement ceiling under Section 361 of Republic Act 7160 attributable to the incorrect implementation of bulk procurement approach resulting in total actual loss from expiration of P1,844,124.52 and exposure to risk of further spoilage and expiration in the subsequent periods.”
Cepedoza said that the approach (6-month period procurement) “directly contravenes the three-month requirement of R. A. 7160,” even if it may answer the need of drug availability being procured. (ricobedencio@yahoo.com)
