Independent body sought to probe CH medical aid

CEBU, Philippines — There should be an independent body who will investigate and assess the implementation of the Long Life Medical Assistance Program (LLMAP) of the present administration, according to Cebu City Association of Barangay Council President and  Tisa Barangay Captain Phillip Zafra.

"Willing mi motabang,  gusto mi naa'y independent body nga mo-conduct sa investigation and audit," said Zafra to The FREEMAN yesterday.

Zafra,  who is an ex-officio member in the city council concurs with the legislative measures raised by his ally, Councilor Jocelyn Pesquera, requesting the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas to conduct investigation on the implementation of LLMAP.  Last December 12, Pesquera delivered a privilege speech during the city council session detailing that medicines of the said program have been "unlawfully discarded and thrown away” at the grassy area of Barangay Bonbon.

"To determine the administrative or criminal liability of the office or individuals responsible for the mishandling of the medicines intended for the Long Life Medical Assistance Program of the City of Cebu,” is the reason for investigation stated by Pesquera in her motion.

"Sakto og tataw ang privilege speech ni Pesquera,  kato ang sundon mas maayo to, " said Zafra.

Zafra also vowed to help in any independent investigation on the matter.

"Daghan kaayo nga dapat utingkayon ani. We are willing to help in the investigation.  Just give us the list of the beneficiaries then we will validate it, " he said.

In the investigation process, a number of factors must be looked into including the total number of beneficiaries, in what way the medicines were distributed,  if there was any consultation with the beneficiaries, among others.

"Why rock the boat?  Mao na ang nahitabo,  subo pamalandungon nga tungod kay mayoriya sa kapitan nga dili niya kaalyado politically,  wala niya tan-awa nga beyond politics naa unta'y symbiotic relationship in terms of delivering basic services,  mas makatabang unta mi but he sees it on the other way around,  wala siya'y salig namo, " he said.

In a seperate interview,  Pesquera said that barangays should take the lead in implementing the mayor's medical assistance program.

"It's cost effective to just let the barangays handle the long life medical assistance program of the city... The mayor should turn over the medicines to the barangays, " she told The FREEMAN.

It was last year that the present administration implemented this program with 800 workers to deliver the free medicines for hypertension,  diabetes and arthritis to at least 40,000 beneficiaries.

For next year's operation,  the city has set aside P19 million for the LLMAP.  Of the approved budget,  P15 million was intended to purchase medicines. (FREEMAN)