Barangay "denied" medicines: Lapu-Lapu SP to hear city health officer's side

CEBU, Philippines - Lapu-Lapu City Health Officer Rodolfo Berame has been invited to appear before city council to explain why he allegedly failed to provide medical supplies to one of the health centers in the city.

City Councilor Florito Pozon, the district councilor of barangay Basak, and the city council had learned that Berame allegedly refused to provide the request of the barangay for medical provisions on the ground that the Suba-Masulog Multi-Purpose building had not been properly turned over to the barangay or the city by the Department of Public Works and Highways.

"He needs to shed light on the allegation that the residents of Suba-Masulog were deprived of the needed medical assistance in the form of medicines just because there is no turn over yet of the center," Pozon said.

The FREEMAN tried to reach Berame for comment but he was in the field.

Berame and the barangay council of Basak had been asked to appear before the council on Wednesday afternoon.

Barangay Basak Secretary Kenzlee Ybanez, in a separate interview with The FREEMAN, said the barangay has three health centers located in sitios BRC, Gintogon, and Suba-Masulog.

The P1.5 million health center in Suba-Masulog was funded by the Gabriela Party-list. The lot where the building is situated used to be a part of the barangay road, which part of the property was a subdivision.

Since the project was funded from the pork barrel of the Gabriela party-list, DPWH took charge of the construction of the building.

However, the barangay failed to present the Deed of Donation from the subdivision to the barangay or the city.

Berame, however, was hesitant to provide medical assistance to the health center because there was no proper turnover of the document.

"I am perplexed by the actuation of the City Health Officer in denying the request for medical assistance or medicines for Suba-Masulog Health Center. Perhaps, Dr. Berame is likening the situation to a road where it is used only for private use. The service here is for the public," Pozon said. (THE FREEMAN)