CCMC admin urged: Explain COA findings

CEBU, Philippines — Following the Commission on Audit’s report on P70.9 million worth of unused medical equipment and supplies at Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC), Councilor Jose Lorenzo Abellanosa has filed a resolution urging the hospital’s administration to explain the matter.

The City Council is set to discuss the resolution in today's regular session.

As of the end of 2024, roughly P70.9 million in CCMC equipment remained idle, with at least four items, valued at P7.6 million, still awaiting demonstration. A separate report in early 2023 also flagged 46 units worth P83 million as unutilized.

The drafted resolution stemmed from the mandate under Section 375, Book II Chapter IV of The Code, which provides the "Primary and Secondary Accountability for Government Property,” particularly that the head of a department or office of a province, city, municipality, or barangay shall be primarily accountable for all government property assigned or issued to his department or office.

It added that the persons entrusted with the possession or custody of government property under the accountability of any head of department or office shall be immediately accountable to such officers.

The same mandate also cites that officers primarily accountable for government property shall keep a complete record of all properties under their charge.

They are also expected to render their accounts semi-annually to the provincial or city general services officer or the municipal mayor or punong barangay.

The same resolution highlighted that the CCMC is a government hospital owned, controlled, and operated by Cebu City government, which at certain times purchases and accepts donations of various medical supplies and equipment subject to the rules and regulations of procurement and subject to investigation and post-audit by COA.

It its inspection dated February 13, 2025, and the year-end 2024 inventory, COA flagged notable items.

Accordingly, there were several medical equipment items that were unused and instead stored in a warehouse.

Among the COA singled out are a digital radio fluoroscopy system which cost P16 million, a digital floor-mounted X-ray that is about P7 million, two Harmonic instrument sets which are around P3 million, a patient mobility lifter costing around P3 million, a medical washer and disinfection machine which is about P1 million, ceiling-mounted surgical pendant systems costing around P4 million, a Holter machine that is around P2 million, a Trumpf delivery room table that has been noted as already damaged which cost about P1.6 million, an infant incubator at P1.4 million, and a dental X-ray machine which is around P1 million.

Aside from this, the same resolution stressed that COA also noted that four items totaling P7.6 million were pending product demonstrations as of December 2024.

In 2023, COA reportedly also flagged other medical equipment amounting to more or less P83 million, tagged as unused, while 46 of them were high-value units from the years 2020 to 2021.

“The COA attributes the underutilization of the above-enumerated equipment to, among others, delays in hospital construction, incomplete floors and spaces which prevented the installation and likewise beyond warranty concerns,” an excerpt of the resolution reads.

In line with this, COA urged the city government to accelerate floor completion, install the equipment, and ensure proper safeguarding of these government assets.

“There is a need to address the concerns raised by COA especially regarding the timeline for the installation of these equipment and as to how the CCMC management plans to utilize them,” the resolution further reads.

It emphasizes that it is imperative for the city to address the concerns raised in the report of the COA; otherwise, it would lead to a waste of taxpayers' money and eventual liability and accountability of the person under whose supervision these items have been entrusted.

In line with this, Abellanosa is seeking the Council’s approval to ask the CCMC medical director and administrator to make a report and apprise the City Council of the status of the medical equipment.

He also seeks clarity on the plan of action of the hospital administration over the said equipment. — (FREEMAN)