Capitol dads deny Tupas hand on P38.5M PGMA/DOH hospital projects
Iloilo Governor Niel Tupas Sr. got a major legislative rebuff yesterday on the P38.5 million worth of projects for Iloilo hospitals.
This, as two major committees tasked to consider the governor’s request reached a conclusion to deny what the governor desired.
As such, instead of Tupas as the main man for the multi-million project implementation particularly bidding and awarding of the contracts, the legislative consensus reached was that it would now be the Department of Health (DOH) – Center for Health Development (CHD) Regional Office 6.
Used as basis by the Committee on Health and Sanitation and Committee on Appropriations were specifics laid down on the project guidelines. The P38.5 million funding is part and parcel of the 2009 Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP), a priority project of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
Among those presented by Health officials in the committee hearings held were DOH office memorandum and orders that stipulated deadlines.
The HFEP as provided should have had bidding and award completed in May 29, 2009. Start of construction and equipment delivery would have been between May to June of this year and completion of the construction and “equipping” in December 2009.
Meantime, a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was drafted and presented by Governor Tupas two weeks ago for legislative approval so the P38.5 million project can kick off albeit late.
“Premises considered, the Joint Committee hereby concludes that there is no more time left for the Province of Iloilo to undertake the responsibilities it has chosen to undertake through the requests of Gov. Niel Tupas Sr, like to Bid and Award,” excerpts of the joint Committee report went. “….therefore, recommends for the denial of authority for Gov. Niel D. Tupas Sr. to sign the Memorandum of Agreement submitted to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan with the Province of Iloilo… Instead, it adopts the action of the DOH Center for Health Development – Western Visayas for CHD to conduct the biddingn processes….”
First District Board Member Mac Napulan, Health and Sanitation Committee chair presented the report that got Second District June Mondejar to react.
Mondejar voiced out his concern on perceived delays and missed opportunity for the province with the denial of Tupas’ request.
First District Board Member Richard Garin for his part had a contrary say stating that with the DOH doing the bidding and project implementation the Capitol or Province of Iloilo has nothing to lose.