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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Rodriguez: Duque should attend House hearing on use of P67-B COVID-19 funds

Rodriguez: Duque should attend House hearing on use of P67-B COVID-19 funds

Published Aug 16, 2021 01:01 pm

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III should consider the House of Representatives’ public hearing as an opportunity to explain the deficiencies highlighted by the Commission on Audit (COA) on the Department of Health’s (DOH) use of the P67.32-billion COVID-19 response funds.

House Deputy Speaker Representative Rufus Rodriguez on Monday said the DOH chief should attend tomorrow’s House hearing, Tuesday, August 17, and answer lawmakers’ questions regarding the agency’s handling of the COVID-19 funds.

“That will be Secretary Duque’s opportunity to explain the alleged deficiencies in the management of the funds as reported by the COA,” Rodriguez said in a statement.

“Anyway, he has vowed to account for all of the money and has declared that none of it has been lost to corruption,” he further said.

The Cagayan de Oro representative said that as far as he is concerned, he is thankful with Duque and Secretary Carlito Galvez’s immediately responded when they sought assistance in fighting the surge of COVID-19 and Delta variant cases in Cagayan de Oro City.

He said the national task force against COVID-19 was able to deliver additional vaccines and hospital ventilators to Cagayan de Oro.

But Rodriguez said it is imperative for Duque to particularly address repeated complaints on the payment of benefits Congress had granted nurses and other health workers under the Bayanihan 1 and 2 laws.

The solon pointed out that the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has announced it has released P9-billion for the special risk allowance (SAR) and hazard pay of government and private health care personnel.

“Where is the money now? Have the funds reached hospitals? Why are our nurses complaining that they have not received their special risk allowance and hazard pay?” he asked.

House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco has said state auditors will hold a briefing with House members to explain the alleged deficiencies it discovered in the management of the P67.32-billion entrusted to the DOH.

Velasco said the House leadership would like to hear first the explanation of the DOH on the audit observations made by the COA before making any conclusion.

The Senate blue ribbon committee, chaired by Sen. Richard Gordon, will conduct a separate probe into the matter on Wednesday, August 18.

Related Tags

COVID-19 FUNDS COA 2020 audit report Rufus Rodriguez francisco duque iii doh
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