City council OKs payment of drug suppliers

CEBU, Philippines - The five medical suppliers, which the Cebu City government owed close to P6 million, may now be paid after two years of waiting following the City Council’s approval of the needed resolution.

The members of the City Council approved on Wednesday to pay Euromed Laboratories Phils. Inc, Berovan Marketing, Cebu Far Eastern Drug, Medical Center Trading Corp., and Vitalis Pharmaceuticals Phils Inc. of its respective deliveries back in 2012.

 The suppliers delivered drugs and medicines and other hospital supplies to Cebu City Medical Center two years ago. But, the suppliers were not paid due to the suspension of its disbursement vouchers at the accounting office pending a supporting resolution from the City Council.

City Ordinance No. 2299 or the Annual Budget of 2012 states that, “the disbursement of funds for the drugs and medicines, medical, dental, and laboratory supplies shall be subject to the approval of the Sangguniang Panlungsod.”

The purchases include drugs and medicines, x-ray films, fixers and developers, plasters, gloves, gauze, syringes, needles, laboratory reagents and supply, among others.

Councilor Lea Japson, who chairs the committee on health, said the P5.9 million worth of medical supplies was already obligated in 2012. But, due to the absence of the supporting resolution the payment was withheld.

Councilor Margarita Osmeña, chairperson of the committee on budget and finance, said the delay of payment might give negative connotation to the suppliers, hence, the approval of the resolution.— (FREEMAN)