After online backlash, the Department of Health halts the purchase of four laptops worth Php700,000.
The procurement of 4 sets of high-end laptops was flagged by the Commission on Audit (COA) flagged in its report on the DOH budget.
“The transaction was put on hold pending further market study,” said Health Undersecretary Leopoldo Vega said in a briefing.
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Vega said that the laptops were intended “for the use of the knowledge management and information technology” team of the DOH.
The health official said that postponement of the procurement process comes after public scrutiny.
COA said that there were deficiencies in handling the DOH’s Php67 billion COVID-19 funds.
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“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,” Vega explained. (TDT)
