More issues raised vs CHD head

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Council has requested the office of the acting Cebu City Mayor to direct the office of the Cebu City Resident Ombudsman to conduct a thorough investigation and review on the administrative operations within the Cebu City Health Department (CHD).

Yesterday, Councilor Mary Ann de los Santos delivered a privilege speech to raise other concerns hounding the leadership of the CHD Officer Dr. Daisy Villa.

De los Santos said she is bringing up serious concerns that have emerged in the CHD that has “outraged” her, particularly on the alleged abuses of the department under the watch of Villa.

According to de los Santos, their office has been receiving reports of “tyranny, impropriety, inefficiency and ethical violations that have poured out in an office that is supposed to safeguard the public’s well-being.”

De los Santos disclosed that such issues have already reached the Civil Service Commission (CSC) which called out the attention of the City’s Human Resource Development (HRDO) to take appropriate action, particularly on a complaint of grave abuse of authority lodged against Villa last July 30, 2024.

Among the pressing issues raised, she added, is the alleged inhumane working conditions of the midwives through a city health memorandum which stipulates that: “If a midwife on 24-hour duty does not deliver a baby during her shift, they are not entitled for an off-duty time the following day.”

De los Santos further read that under the Magna Carta of public health office, midwives are entitled to an extra day off after 24 hours of service adding that this is without condition.

She added that there are multiple Republic Acts that protect the health workers specifically on the days off they are entitled for.

“It does not impose any other requirements for them to avail the extra dayoff like delivering a baby under their shift unless required under the memorandum,” she said.

With the mandates she cited, de los Santos stressed that Villa has not just “blatantly” violated the rules which to her, not only is an abuse of authority, but is issuance of an “illegal” order which to her is “inhumane, malicious and oppressive.” “It is an arrogant display of power,” she said.

Further, de los Santos disclosed that a tip was provided to them of a “scandalous” event last July 5, 2024 involving activities of near nudity being held at the premises of the health center.

She added that this was during the celebration of Nutrition Month which photos were also shown during her privilege speech.

“It is nothing short of scandalous that our health department, a sanctuary of care and service, was transformed into a stage for suggestive and inappropriate displays under the guise of celebrating nutrition month,” said de los Santos

Aside from this, de los Santos further disclosed that they received severe shortage of medical supplies, lack of transparency in the distribution of allowance and benefits, as well as the alleged oppressive environment. She added, some health centres are now relying on the support of the Department of Health (DOH).

In line with this, de los Santos has called on the members of the council to assess the leadership of Villa and her staff who to her implemented the policies.

“But for those well-meaning employees have alleged that she herself is the virus with projectile and venomous toxic words during her fuming mood. In short, bastos,” she said referring to Villa.

Alongside these complaints, de los Santos said that Villa has been called out by the council several times for her cooperation in clarifying some issues, but to no avail and the latter remained unresponsive.

The Freeman has tried reaching out to Villa for her side on several issues but messages have remained unresponded. —/ATO (FREEMAN)