Palace denies PH missed chance to buy 200 ICU beds last year

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque. File photo from PTV video

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Tuesday denied that the Philippine government missed its chance to secure 200 additional intensive care unit (ICU) beds from an Austrian company in October.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said the offer was only for 15 ICU beds from 200 hospital beds, which was not considered by the government.

He also denied that a shouting session ensued in a recent Cabinet meeting due to the alleged missed opportunity.

“Wala pong sigawan na nangyari, hindi po nangyayari ‘yung ganon dahil hindi siya [offer] naconsider dahil it’s for a 200 bed hospital na kinse lang ang ICU at ang pangangailangan natin ay ICU beds,” Roque said in a Palace briefing.

(There is no shouting match that occurred, because the offer was not considered because it was for 200 hospital beds of which only 15 are ICU beds.)

Roque confirmed that the offer was through a “buy-now-pay-later” scheme.

Roque said negotiations for the additional ICU beds are still ongoing and the Austrian company is set to give its proposal to the government this week.

JPV