The Commission on Audit has called out the provincial government of Bohol over the non-distribution of P9.1 million worth of free maintenance drugs and medicines intended for senior citizens.

In its 2022 report, state auditors said that the total amount of P9,133,492 of maintenance drugs and medicines accounted for 24 percent of the batch procured for PGBh’s Bohol Provincial Diagnostic and Ambulatory Care Center.

It added that the 10 devolved hospitals cost P38,248,230 and were allotted for the senior citizens of the municipalities of Lila, Loay, Alburquerque, Baclayon, Corella, Sikatunan, Dauis, Panglao and the City of Tagbilaran.

However, CoA discovered that in 2022, “none of these drugs and medicines had been distributed to the senior citizens as evidenced by the inventory report showing the same quantity as that procured for BPDACC.”

This comes after the provincial government of Bohol launched the “Free Medical Assistance Program to Boholano Senior Citizens” implemented under Provincial Ordinance 2021-027 via Executive Order 70.

CoA discovered that in 2022, ‘none of these drugs and medicines had been distributed to the senior citizens as evidenced by the inventory report showing the same quantity as that procured for BPDACC.’

Under the program, eligible senior citizens shall present a “Buhat Pasultihon Card” to avail of free oral maintenance medicines for hypertension, diabetes, and arthritis and free medical consultations in any hospital and medical facility owned and managed by the provincial government.

The card also entitles seniors to free issuance of medical certificates and laboratory services such as random sugar count and complete blood count.

State auditors attributed the lapses by the uncoordinated distribution of the “Buhat Pasultihon” cards and lack of dissemination of the distribution guideline, which fallout in the inefficient and ineffective implementation of the “Free Medical Assistance Program to Boholano Senior Citizens.”

The non-distribution of the free medicines contravened Section 2 of Presidential Decree 1445 or the Government Auditing Code of the Philippines, mandating that all government resources “shall be managed, expended or utilized in accordance with law and regulations, and safeguarded against loss or wastage through illegal or improper disposition.”

The irregularities came to light upon CoA’s inspection on 30 June 2022, wherein it found that the “Buhat Pasultihon” cards were not included in the distribution of the Senior Citizen health kits under the same program of the Bohol provincial government.

“Thus, the senior citizens did not have the cards to begin with which would have entitled them to avail of the benefits under the program. This also decreased the likelihood of senior citizens being informed of the benefit of receiving free maintenance drugs and medicines from BPDACC,” the CoA said.

The BPDACC, meanwhile, informed auditors that the current administration has already undertaken corrective measures and that the e-distribution of the medicines will be channeled through the LGUs of Bohol province.