E. Visayas hospital chief faces complaint over alleged fund misuse

TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines – Hospital employees have filed a complaint with the Office of the Ombudsman in the Visayas against the hospital chief at the Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center (EVRMC), over the alleged misappropriation of hospital funds amounting to P13 million.

In the complaint against Dr Aileen Espina filed on June 2, the hospital employees accused the hospital chief of the unauthorized use of funds, irregular procurement procedures, payroll manipulation, and irregular appointment of employees.

In August last year, Health Secretary Janette Garin formed an investigative body to probe the complaint. The hospital employees questioned the use of P13 million worth of funds for incentives to employees as part of the hospital’s Program on Awards and Incentives for Service Excellence (Praise).

Based on the review of the Department of Health investigation team, a total of P13,207,450 was disbursed in 2014 for the payment of monetary and non-monetary benefits to both management and rank and file employees. This was allegedly sourced from the hospital’s savings for the implementation of several programs.

Non-monetary benefits amounting to P5,193,700 were made through the procurement of Robinson’s gift certificates. But based on the review of budget and accounting records, there was an unexplained discrepancy between the amount allotted for the procurement and the actual amount paid for the gift certificates.

The DOH fact-finding team recommended that hospital employees should ensure that the benefits granted to employees should be in accordance with existing rules and regulations.

Hospital employees also questioned the overdue unliquidated cash advances and the alleged irregular appointment and promotion of employees which they said violated policies on the hiring and selection process.

The DOH fact-finding team said that public funds should be disbursed for their allotted purpose, and any deviations should be done with the approval of oversight bodies such as the budget department and the Commission on Audit. – Rappler.com