The Department of Health is under fire after the Commission on Audit found deficiencies of up to P66.28 billion for 2020 alone.
According to DOH Secretary Duque and Undersecretary Leopoldo Vega, there are multiple reasons for the agencies failure to use their allocated funding for healthcare workers. According to Undersecretary Leopoldo Vega, private hospitals and DOH regional offices are to blame why healthcare workers didn’t receive their allowances.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III (Photo from DOH Facebook)
Secretary Duque on the other hand, stressed that there is no corruption in the DOH. During the congressional inquiry, he shared that the COA should also consider that they are not operating under normal circumstances. “I think COA should also consider that we are not operating under normal circumstances. We’re operating under a state of public health emergency. “Winarak niyo na kami eh. Winarak niyo ang dangal ng DOH,” he said.
He also called the COA “unjust” and “unfair” for not giving the DOH time to respond to the findings but the COA said that they have given them time and extension. They have given the agency until June 30 to submit documents which they have missed. Now the COA is informing the DOH to submit supporting documents despite the lapsed deadline.
