DOH Cancels Purchase Of High-End Laptop Worth P700K
DOH CANCELS LAPTOP PURCHASE – Following massive criticism from public, the Department of Health suspended the purchase of “high-end 2-in-1 laptops” worth ₱700,000.
Recently, the Commission on Audit flagged the DOH for unallocated funds amounting to over P67 billion. Included was the request for four laptops and accessories amounting to P125,000 for each unit.
As a response to the issue, Undersecretary Leopoldo Vega told media:
“To date, the procurement transaction was put on hold pending the result of further market study and prevailing market price for these laptops“
Furthermore, Vega emphasized that the laptops were supposed to be used utilized in knowledge management and information technology. However, the issue had already made rounds in social media.
But, in a rare instance, the COA made a clarification to its report. To avoid misunderstanding, COA stressed that they did not call DOH corrupt. Instead, COA cited that the DOH merely had “deficiencies” with their records.
Additionally, COA said they also gave recommendations to the DOH regarding the necessary steps required to address the issue. Based on an article from CNN, the COA explained:
As an example, some of the findings of deficiencies involving COVID-19 funds amounting to ₱67.3 Billion resulted from the non-submission of documentation or supporting papers, which the DOH may still submit in compliance with the auditor’s recommendation. Of the ₱67.3 Billion, ₱42.4 Billion consisted of fund transfers to procurement/implementing partner-agencies without the required documentation. There is no finding that this amount cannot be accounted for
Moreover, COA said that any and all conclusions regarding the report would simply be “premature” as the audit process had yet to finish. Still, the DOH faced heavy backlash from both lawmakers and netizens due to this issue.
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