DOH cancels purchase of four ‘high-end’ laptops worth P700,000

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) has decided to cancel its purchase of four “high-end” laptops worth P700,000 after doubts were raised that the gadgets could be overpriced.

Dr. Eric Tayag, director of the DOH’s knowledge management and information technology service office, said they have cancelled the procurement of the laptops, citing the need for funds of a hospital in Baguio City.

“Ki-nancel na po namin ‘yan,” Tayag told the Senate blue ribbon committee when asked about the controversial laptops.

“Pero bago namin kinansela ‘yan, ‘yung mga laptop pong ‘yan ay gagamitin sana ng aming mga developers. Hindi naman po pwede na ‘yung ordinaryong laptop lamang,” he added.

Tayag said they were not able to finalize the brand of the laptop as they already canceled it.

The health official nonetheless insisted that they need an “upgraded” computer to do their mandate, such as creating a vaccination registry.

“‘Yung opisina ko po kasi kailangan namin kasi kami po ‘yung gumagawa ng mga registry. Halimbawa, ‘yung bakuna registry kailangan naming mailagay at ma-visualize para maparating sa mga policymakers kung ano na ‘yung datos,” Tayag said.

“So kailangan namin talaga ng mas upgraded na computer. Kung ordinary lang, mabagal,” he added.

READ: DOH puts procurement of 4 ‘high-end’ laptops on hold

Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri said he only uses a gaming computer, which he said is “one of the fastest” units, for the Senate’s hearings and sessions. It cost him P96,000, said the senator.

A document from the Health Department’s Bids and Awards Committee dated August 4 indicated the request for the best and final offer for four “high-end 2-in-1 laptops with accessories” for a total of P700,000, or P175,000 each.

The document surfaced as the Commission on Audit (COA) marked “deficiencies” amounting to over P67 billion in the DOH’s pandemic fund for 2020.