'Why only now?,' DOH lady exec bewails renewed attacks on administration
Nothing but rehashed issues from the past and a consolidated demolition job. And while at it, an unfair attack on innocent Health Department employees and officials of the region now seemingly caught in the 'crossfire.'
Such were the sentiments of Dr. Lydia Depra-Ramos, Regional Director of the Department of Health (DOH) in Western Visayas, following the resurgence of purported questionable projects in DOH 6.
Subject of the ongoing fact-finding investigation of the Office of the Ombudsman in the Visayas, Director Ramos expressed confidence on the resolution of the matter. This, as she bewailed persistent insinuations of graft on her administration saying the particular project looked into by the anti-graft body has long been cleared by government auditors.
In an interview yesterday, the lady director called on various top DOH 6 office chiefs to help her shed light on an earlier The News Today (TNT) report regarding the department's anti-Malaria drug deal.
To recall, the Ombudsman in a "Notice of Conference" called on 15 DOH 6 senior officials and employees to serve as government resource persons on the alleged irregular purchase of medicines.
Yet as Director Ramos stressed, the procurement has since passed the scrutiny of the Commission on Audit (COA).
"Why only now when it happened back in 2004 still? This is nothing but a demolition job and sadly, my hardworking office chiefs are likewise affected. I am the target here but they also suffer along the way because they themselves are being harassed," she lamented.
And she had nothing to hide, she insisted saying she even gave the go-signal for all 15 invited DOH officials to see the Ombudsman.
Pressed for details, Director Ramos said she believes her woes with a top DOH official in the Central Office began when she was named as nominee for the Lingkod Bayan award in 2007.
It was then she discovered that her nomination was blocked and caused her to ultimately lose the needed endorsement of the department.
TNT further learned that a dossier of anonymous complaints against the lady director is in possession of the DOH central office. The anti-Malaria drug purchase is reportedly one of the clear 'instruments' used to further tarnish her leadership.
Director Ramos is on her 9th year with the DOH 6 and is credited with various citations for excellence in government initiatives and programs.
"Our system is in place and more importantly, I have been completely cleared by no less than the Office of the Ombudsman themselves, the National Bureau of Investigation, the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission and even our in-house auditor here. I am very sorry for my staff that they have to be affected with these attacks on me," she added.
Meantime, office chiefs of DOH 6 clarified findings contained on the latest COA Annual Audit Report.
Adverse findings particularly on "unutilized drugs and equipment" while technically 'blamed' on DOH 6 were actually 'aftershocks' of the DOH Central Office procurement.
As in the case of cartridges unused during the post-oil spill period when government auditors conducted the inspection, the DOH 6 executives explained that such were actually delivered by the DOH Central Office.
Issues hounding the Botika ng Barangay (BnB) on the other hand face problems beyond DOH 6 control, the group explained.
Yes, the BnB operation is under the administrative supervision of the DOH 6 but no, fiscal operations are not within the department since BnBs have fiscal autonomy in terms of budget.
Among those present with Director Ramos were Delia Tarrosa, chief of the Licensing Regulation and Enforcement Division, Nona Belvis Manzon, Chief of the Management Support Division, Dr. Sofia Guanco-Chua, Chief of the Field Health Operations, Evangeline Macabebe, Pharmacist IV, Internal Control Unit, Mae Jondonero, Accountant III and Josephine Tapales, Supply Officer III.
"We are consistent partners for growth and development by the government and the community. This is most unfortunate to be happening to us," she ended.