SP seeks clarification on P1.3M planned buy of anti-A(H1N1) gears
Executive permission was sought yesterday from Iloilo Governor Niel Tupas Sr. relative to official invites sent to two top Capitol personalities.
Coursed through Sanggunian Panlalawigan (SP) Secretary Lorenzo Tubola, the request emanated from the Committee on Health and Sanitation and the Committee on Appropriations.
Subject of said request were Neneth Pador, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer (PSWDO) and Jerry Bionat of the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC).
The two, the Committee decided, are the best persons to help shed light and defend the planned Capitol purchase of some P1.3 million worth of anti-H1N1 gears.
The latest proposed expenditure carries with it though an even more urgent request to place the province under a state of “imminent health hazard.”
The two Committees are set to meet today to evaluate the Governor’s request.
Citing 22 cases in Western Visayas of the Influenza A(H1N1), the governor’s request was presented in last week’s regular session of the 9th Iloilo Sanggunian Panlalawigan (SP).
“It is apparent that the pandemic is not slowing down and there is a need to adopt measures to enhance the preparedness of our health professionals to handle the “swine flu” in case it continues to spread in Iloilo,” Tupas then wrote the SP body.
As such, Tupas insisted, there is a need to procure Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that includes “particulate respirator (N95), eye protection, gown and sterile gloves.”
“This supply of PPEs, if not utilized completely for this current public health hazard, can be kept in stock just in case other epidemics such as SARS and Avian Flu recur,” the governor continued.
The governor in pushing for said recourse justified his move citing a joint circular of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).
To note, Section 2 of DBM-DILG Circular No. 2003-02 states that calamity fund may be used in any disaster preparedness activities. Yet an SP declaration of “imminent danger” must be made first.
“This will enable us to source the funds for this procurement from the 5% Calamity Fund of the Province of Iloilo. It is earnestly requested that this request be given favorable action so that we can adequately protect our own hospital doctors, nurses and non-medical personnel who might come into direct contact with suspected or confirmed cases of Influenza A(H1N1) virus as well as other dangerous and highly communicable diseases that might spread in the future,” Tupas ended.