After backlash, DOH halts procurement of laptops worth P700,000 | ABS-CBN
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After backlash, DOH halts procurement of laptops worth P700,000
After backlash, DOH halts procurement of laptops worth P700,000
Katrina Domingo,
ABS-CBN News
Published Aug 16, 2021 01:22 PM PHT
MANILA - The Department of Health (DOH) on Monday said it has halted the procurement of 4 sets of high-end laptops amounting to P700,000 after the Commission on Audit (COA) flagged several spending deficiencies in the health agency.
MANILA - The Department of Health (DOH) on Monday said it has halted the procurement of 4 sets of high-end laptops amounting to P700,000 after the Commission on Audit (COA) flagged several spending deficiencies in the health agency.
Earlier this month, the DOH was in the process of acquiring 4 sets of "High-End 2-in-1 Laptop with Accessories" worth P700,000, according to a document from the agency dated August 4, 2021.
Earlier this month, the DOH was in the process of acquiring 4 sets of "High-End 2-in-1 Laptop with Accessories" worth P700,000, according to a document from the agency dated August 4, 2021.
"The transaction was put on hold pending further market study," said Health Undersecretary Leopoldo Vega in an online press conference.
"The transaction was put on hold pending further market study," said Health Undersecretary Leopoldo Vega in an online press conference.
The laptops were intended "for the use of the knowledge management and information technology" team of the DOH, he said.
The laptops were intended "for the use of the knowledge management and information technology" team of the DOH, he said.
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Vega confirmed the postponement of the procurement days after the DOH drew flak online for allegedly choosing either overpriced or costly equipment in the middle of the global pandemic.
Vega confirmed the postponement of the procurement days after the DOH drew flak online for allegedly choosing either overpriced or costly equipment in the middle of the global pandemic.
Last week, the COA flagged several transactions within the DOH calling some expenditures as "excessive."
Last week, the COA flagged several transactions within the DOH calling some expenditures as "excessive."
Purchases worth P5.038 billion were found to lack documentation and had procedural deficiencies, acts that violated the Government Procurement Reform Act, according to government auditors.
Purchases worth P5.038 billion were found to lack documentation and had procedural deficiencies, acts that violated the Government Procurement Reform Act, according to government auditors.
The deficiencies noted were purchases found to be disadvantageous to the government amounting to P194.403 million, as well as defects in the sworn statements in contracts, non-posting of procurement information on government website and non-provision of technical specifications in contracts.
The deficiencies noted were purchases found to be disadvantageous to the government amounting to P194.403 million, as well as defects in the sworn statements in contracts, non-posting of procurement information on government website and non-provision of technical specifications in contracts.
Vega noted that the COA "did not mention any funds lost to corruption."
Vega noted that the COA "did not mention any funds lost to corruption."
"Compliance is ongoing. Some of these have already been resolved," he said.
"Compliance is ongoing. Some of these have already been resolved," he said.
"This is really to improve the process and efficiency of all units. It is not yet a final report. We can still rectify noted deficiencies," he said.
"This is really to improve the process and efficiency of all units. It is not yet a final report. We can still rectify noted deficiencies," he said.
In 2020, the Philippine Health Insurance Corp was also flagged for approving a P2.1-billion budget for the procurement laptops, software and other equipment for its IT system.
In 2020, the Philippine Health Insurance Corp was also flagged for approving a P2.1-billion budget for the procurement laptops, software and other equipment for its IT system.
Among the questionable items in the PhilHealth's IT shopping list last year were two sets of laptops, with one amounting to P4.11 million, while another was worth P115.32 million.
Among the questionable items in the PhilHealth's IT shopping list last year were two sets of laptops, with one amounting to P4.11 million, while another was worth P115.32 million.
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