Reaction to Editorial (Part 2)

(Continued from previous article)

Yes, the adjusted rates that these doctors will be receiving is way below what they have been accustomed to receive under their previous contracts as COS and JO employees.

Those contracts were the practice of the previous administration in order to accommodate political appointees. The aim may seem commendable because it gave them a much higher pay but this approach sacrificed efficiency and made the concerned medical practitioners lazy and ill-mannered. All at the expense of the Cebuano people who deserve the best medical service.

This doctor in Argao for example, was hired by the previous administration as Medical Officer IV under a COS. That salary grade is over and above the requirement set by DOH in running a Level 1 hospital like ICKMH that only requires MO3.

Here lies the defect in the practice. The previous administration used government resources for political accommodations that left our government bleeding while being unable to provide other needs of the Cebuano people. Being political appointees, these practitioners or personnel cultivated a culture of entitlement and impunity where even a Chief of Hospital (COH) could not discipline.

A COH could not reprimand a subordinate for fear that the padrino or political backer of the appointee will “pull strings" to punish the COH.

Let us not forget how badly they provided service to our patients – giving them a runaround or shouting at them because the doctor was tired. These do not include previous reports of medical malpractice and negligence that led to the deaths of patients in the past.

Now, things are different. No longer will the Cebuano people be on the receiving end of irate and ill-mannered practitioners and medical personnel. With these policies in place, the Cebuanos will be provided with the best medical care that is both efficient and reliable.

In this country, the freedom of speech provides journalists with an avenue to call the attention of government leaders on distasteful actions. However, your editorial is suspect as it brought to the surface your utter lack of responsibility and accountability. The minimum requirement of a responsible journalist was to verify the factual allegations before publishing an editorial.

Antithesis to you, the Governor, as the leader of the Province of Cebu, makes informed and carefully studied decisions with one mission in mind: the general welfare of the Cebuano people.

We hope that we have enlightened your paper and your readers on the real score of the story, considering that your editorial was based on the false premise arising from incorrect, unverified information.

Thank you.

Atty. Frank Eduard C. Dinsay V

Chief of Staff of Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia