MANILA (UCAN): A Philippine senator, Grace Poe, has questioned the Department of Health’s procurement of “overpriced” personal protective equipment (PPE) for health workers caring for Covid-19 coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) patients.
According to the senator, 1.4 billion pesos ($214 million) or 1,800 pesos ($275) per set of protective equipment is “too much” considering that similar equipment is being sold for as little as 400 pesos ($61) each.
“The government could have saved at least 800 million pesos ($122 million) had the Department of Health purchased less expensive gear but (of) the same quality,” said Poe in an interview.
The lawmaker and former presidential candidate reminded fellow politicians about the wise and transparent use of public funds.
“This is not the time to commit abuses and corruption … Every peso that we save during this period could be used for other government programmes to help those who are most in need of financial assistance and food supplies every day,” she said.
Health undersecretary, Maria Rosario Vergeire, defended the purchases saying the department bought “the most complete” set of protective equipment. “We have eight types of PPE in one set. That’s why each set amounted to 1,800 pesos,” she said.
Meanwhile, Filipinos are calling for transparency on how the government is spending a 200-billion-peso ($30.5 billion) aid package.
“Why is it that hospitals are still lacking masks and protective equipment? We still do not feel aid is coming from the government. I hope they deliver them as soon as possible because doctors are catching Covid-19,” said one physician who wished to remain anonymous.
“I hope government-sponsored gear will reach us here in the provinces. We still do not have test kits and we are afraid that asymptomatic patients may already be infecting others,” Marites Dingaluan, a nurse in Samar, said.
As we celebrate the 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines. The Chaplaincy to Filipino Migrants organises an on-line talk every Tuesday at 9.00pm. You can join us at:
https://www.Facebook.com/CFM-Gifted-to-give-101039001847033
Meanwhile, Catholics have applauded Bishop Ruperto Santos and his clergy for donating their stipends for a feeding programme and donation drives in the Diocese of Balanga.
“With this difficult and uncertain economic situation, we priests in the diocese have decided to forego our monthly stipends for March and April, and in some cases from April to May, for the sake of the people, especially for all diocesan employees and personnel,” the bishop said in a statement. He said it was his diocese’s way of “showing solidarity and self-giving to let the people feel that the Church is always there for them.”
As of April 7, the Philippines had recorded 3,660 Covid-19 cases with 163 deaths.
