PROCUREMENT. Antique board member Egidio Elio delivers a privilege speech urging an inquiry on the alleged overpriced procurement of hospital beds during their regular session on Monday (Nov. 6, 2023). Antique provincial government bids and awards committee chair Junevee Jungco clarified during a press conference Tuesday (Nov. 7) that there was no irregularity in the PHP9.96-million purchase. (PNA photo by Annabel Consuelo J. Petinglay)
SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, Antique – The bids and awards committee (BAC) of the Antique provincial government said there was no irregularity in the procurement of hospital beds for the Angel Salazar Memorial General Hospital (ASMGH).
BAC chair Junevee Jungco, in a press conference on Tuesday, said the acquisition of 166 hospital beds worth PHP9.96 million, with accompanying mattresses, intravenous poles, stools, overbed tables, and bedside cabinets, went through the regular bidding process.
“The procurement of the hospital beds was not excessive or irregular, for it underwent public bidding,” Jungco said.
The hospital beds were delivered to the ASMGH early this year by the Iloilo City-based winning bidder, B-Shine Pharma.
Jungco assured they also canvassed the prices of hospital beds before the procurement.
Board member Egidio Elio, during their regular session on Monday, called for an inquiry on the alleged “overpriced” procurement in his privilege speech.
“I delivered a privilege speech because the money used in the hospital bed procurement comes from the government and of the people,” he said in a follow-up interview on Tuesday, adding he did it for transparency.
He said, based on his canvass, a unit of the hospital bed costs only between PHP12,000 and PHP15,000 each.
The provincial board will invite the BAC to their Nov. 13 session to shed light on the matter. (PNA)
