Duque, Vega tell DOH offices to comply with COA, release SRA

Facade of the DOH main office in Manila. INQUIRER.net file photo

MANILA, Philippines — Health Secretary Francisco Duque III and Undersecretary Leopoldo Vega are leading Department of Health (DOH) offices and units to comply with the recommendation of the Commission on Audit (COA) and to fast track the release of special risk allowance (SRA) to more health workers.

The DOH made this assurance on Tuesday, reiterating that the P67.32 billion earlier mentioned by COA in its 2020 audit report is accounted for. COA earlier said it found deficiencies, caused by non-compliance with pertinent laws and regulations, on how the DOH managed the said funds to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

The DOH was given 60 days to comply with the recommendations of the state auditor and report actions that it has taken about the matter. It noted that “COA has previously clarified that their report does not mention any findings of funds lost to corruption.”

“DOH offices and operating units are now working double time to comply with the COA audit findings within 60 days or less. Gaya ng sinabi ko noon, bukas na bukas po ang aming tanggapan upang makipagtulungan sa COA upang mapabuti pa ang aming mga proseso at mapagsilbihan ng mas mabuti ang ating mga kababayan,” Duque III said in a statement.

(Like what I said before, we are open to coordinating with COA in order to improve our processes and serve our countrymen better.)

Meanwhile, Vega, Undersecretary for Administration and Financial Management Team, said the department has always been “cooperative” with the yearly audit of COA.

“The DOH always strives to comply with its yearly audit recommendations and this year will not be different,” he said in the same statement.

The DOH likewise assured that Centers for Health Development are now coordinating with local government units together with public and private hospitals to submit the remaining list of healthcare workers eligible to receive SRA but who have yet to receive the said benefit.

The agency added that it is closely working with the Department of Budget and Management to secure funds for the grant of the SRA.

“I have also given marching orders to concerned offices to comply with the directives of the President on distributing SRA to our healthcare workers within 10 days,” said Duque.

“Dapat maibigay ang SRA ng mga healthcare workers natin na hindi pa nakakatanggap nito. Patuloy natin sisiguraduhin na makuha ng ating healthcare workers ang kanilang mga benepisyo na naaayon sa ating batas,” he added.

(We need to give the SRA to health workers who have yet to receive it. Let us ensure that healthcare workers will continue to receive their benefits according to law.)

EDV