Duterte looks into alleged overpriced testing equipment
Published May 22, 2020 12:00 am
By Genalyn Kabiling
The alleged overpriced medical equipment and test kits bought by the government as part of its COVID-19 response efforts will be under investigation upon the orders of President Duterte, Malacañang announced on May 22, Friday.
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte
(ACE MORANDANTE/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO/ MANILA BULLETIN) The President has expressed concerns about the “discrepancy” in the cost of testing equipment between the government and the private sector, and sought “answers” on the issue, according to Presidential spokesman Harry Roque. Roque made the remarks amid the controversy arising from alleged irregular testing package offered by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, as well as the testing equipment bought by the Department of Health. “Bibigyan ko po ng kumpirmasyon na nababahala ang Presidente lalung-lalo doon sa pagkakaiba ng presyo ng testing kit, na kapag pribadong sektor ang bumili is P1,750,000 pero kapag gobyerno ang bumili ay P4 million. So nais po niya ng kasagutan and investigation,” Roque said in an interview over DZMM on Friday. “Kasi hindi po nga niya maintindihan, gaya ng buong sambayanan, kung bakit ganoon kalaki ang discrepancy (Because, like the entire nation, he cannot understand why there’s such a huge discrepancy),” he added. Senator Panfilo Lacson earlier questioned the Department of Health’s acquisition of coronavirus testing equipment that are more expensive than similar equipment bought by the private sector. Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon also expressed alarm over the alleged overpricing of PhilHealth’s testing packages, saying the potential revenue loss may reach over P8.3 billion. Drilon said the health insurance agency pays hospitals and testing centers P8,150 per test, while the Philippine Red Cross can do the same test at P4,000. He described the PhilHealth’s price tag as “ridiculous” and “reeks of corruption or negligence," especially since the private sector can do the test at half the price. At present, PhilHealth covers the treatment costs of coronavirus patients through its new case rate packages. The state health firm also committed to coronavirus tests ranging between P2,710 to P8,150. In his recent weekly report to Congress, the President said PhilHealth has released P13.138 billion to 546 PhilHealth-accredited hospitals through its interim reimbursement mechanism measure as of May 14. It has paid 3,751,170 PhilHealth claims amounting to P36,728,255,308.87, with check payments dating from January 1 to May 13.
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte(ACE MORANDANTE/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO/ MANILA BULLETIN) The President has expressed concerns about the “discrepancy” in the cost of testing equipment between the government and the private sector, and sought “answers” on the issue, according to Presidential spokesman Harry Roque. Roque made the remarks amid the controversy arising from alleged irregular testing package offered by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, as well as the testing equipment bought by the Department of Health. “Bibigyan ko po ng kumpirmasyon na nababahala ang Presidente lalung-lalo doon sa pagkakaiba ng presyo ng testing kit, na kapag pribadong sektor ang bumili is P1,750,000 pero kapag gobyerno ang bumili ay P4 million. So nais po niya ng kasagutan and investigation,” Roque said in an interview over DZMM on Friday. “Kasi hindi po nga niya maintindihan, gaya ng buong sambayanan, kung bakit ganoon kalaki ang discrepancy (Because, like the entire nation, he cannot understand why there’s such a huge discrepancy),” he added. Senator Panfilo Lacson earlier questioned the Department of Health’s acquisition of coronavirus testing equipment that are more expensive than similar equipment bought by the private sector. Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon also expressed alarm over the alleged overpricing of PhilHealth’s testing packages, saying the potential revenue loss may reach over P8.3 billion. Drilon said the health insurance agency pays hospitals and testing centers P8,150 per test, while the Philippine Red Cross can do the same test at P4,000. He described the PhilHealth’s price tag as “ridiculous” and “reeks of corruption or negligence," especially since the private sector can do the test at half the price. At present, PhilHealth covers the treatment costs of coronavirus patients through its new case rate packages. The state health firm also committed to coronavirus tests ranging between P2,710 to P8,150. In his recent weekly report to Congress, the President said PhilHealth has released P13.138 billion to 546 PhilHealth-accredited hospitals through its interim reimbursement mechanism measure as of May 14. It has paid 3,751,170 PhilHealth claims amounting to P36,728,255,308.87, with check payments dating from January 1 to May 13.