Tuesday, July 10, 2007 Health Watch: Hospital chief only part of ‘syndicate’ By Gil Alfredo B. Severino
JACK Pamine, chief convenor and spokesperson of Health Watch revealed Monday the existence of an alleged “syndicate” manipulating the operations at the Corazon L. Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (CLMMRH).
Dr. Dominggo Vega, the chief of hospital, was part of the syndicate, Pamine added.
Pamine based his conclusion after conducting its own investigations through documents and testimonies of alleged malpractices and corruption besetting CLMMRH.
“It would appear that Vega is just part and parcel of networks present in strategic departments of the hospital,” Pamine said.
“We now have evidences based on official documents and testimonies involving not only the office of Dr. Vega and bids and awards committee (BAC) but also revolved around well-connected personnel, BAC secretariat, supply and property section, accounting section, cashier, central supply room. They are all acting ‘secretly’ in a well coordinated operation,” Pamine claimed.
“They are everywhere, especially in departments open and related to money transactions and they are strongly in control,” he said.
Pamine added this would also explain why some of the low ranking clerks are already showing luxurious lifestyles.
“We have pictures to show that they own commercial establishments,” Pamine said.
Pamine explained that according to Department of Health (DOH) Administrative Order 2006-0034, the DOH regional director has the authority to order an “On the Job Training” (OJT) of all employees below the Chief of Hospital through rotation, reshuffled to other position for job enhancement training.
These people, however, had never been subjected to OJT for a long period of time, Pamine said.
“Let me warn them, Health Watch through the Bacolod Diocese Social Action Center will file complaints before the DOH regional director to effect a reshuffling so as not to contaminate and prejudice an independent probe to be conducted by entities outside of DOH,” he added.
“If the regional director does not act in accordance with transparency and justice, then we will be compelled to file another round of complaints direct to the Ombudsman in Cebu,” Pamine stressed.
Meanwhile, CLMMRH chief administrative officer, Bryan Baylon, deplored that the Accounting Department did not release his salary for June.
Baylon said he was also deprived of his productivity incentives and representation and traveling allowance (Rata).
“I am the only one left without salary, incentive and Rata. The reason was, my name was missed in the payroll by accounting,” Baylon said. But he questioned, “How can the salary of the Administrative Officer be ‘missed’?”
When asked why his salary was not released thru the Automated Tellering Machine (ATM), Baylon said, “Salaries of more than 500 personnel here are released manually. Releasing is always late for three to five days.”
Meanwhile, said Baylon stressed that upon the advise of the Ombudsman, his lawyer is preparing an aggregate complaint, combining all complaints against defendants.
Baylon said the P57 milllion plunder case will be filed against Vega in due time.
