TO address persistent procurement issues, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan passed a resolution creating a Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) solely for medicine procurement.
The move aims to address delayed procurement and delivery of medicines to the eight provincial hospitals in Misamis Oriental, as well as alleged operational deficiencies facing the government-owned hospitals.
Board member Nancy Madjos introduced the motion Tuesday, July 22.
In addition to the BAC creation, the board also approved that administrative officers of the eight municipal hospitals can have monthly bonded petty cash to procure basic necessities. This motion, also introduced by Madjos, passed with proper guidance.
However, Madjos’ resolution on petty cash issuance drew criticism from Board member Dexter Yasay, who called petty cash “stupidity.”
Yasay said he would not oppose the resolution but advised caution in its implementation.
He explained that each hospital chief can predetermine the necessities they will need for the coming months.
“You can project the need kung ang foam need ni alisdan and it can be assumed that mahurot na ang silhig in three months,” Yasay explained to the hospital chiefs attending the committee hearing.
This came after Dr. Graceil Jan Go, chief of Balingasag hospital, revealed that basic supplies like soap, mops and brooms can take three to six months to be delivered, prompting him to sometimes purchase them out of his own pocket.
“Even sabon, ga amot amot pa mi, even the mops (pero) dili namo makaya tanan,” Go said.
The revelation followed Board member Princess Emano addressing the need to improve the cleanliness of Balingasag hospital.
Despite Yasay’s criticism, the motion was approved with a safety net.
