Capitol-run hospitals asked to submit expenditure reports

Local

THE Cebu Provincial Board has asked the chiefs of nine provincial-run hospitals to submit detailed expenditure reports on hospital operations.

The board members want to know the details and updated data on hospital fund utilization from January to September, as well as projected expenses for November and December.

Among those required to submit their utilization reports are Badian District Hospital, Cebu Provincial Hospital (CPH) in Balamban, Isidro Kintanar Memorial Hospital in Argao, Tuburan District Hospital, Bantayan District Hospital, Ricardo Maningo Memorial Hospital on Camotes Island, Jose Ma. Borromeo District Hospital, Oslob District Hospital, and Juan Dosado Memorial Hospital.

This comes after the provincial government approved Supplemental Budget No. 1, amounting to P91 million, a large portion of which is allocated for hospital operations.

Board members wanted to know how the funds would be spent, considering the substantial appropriations already provided for in the 2026 budget.

During the Provincial Board's regular session on Oct. 26, Liga ng mga Barangay President and ex-officio board member Celestino "Tining" Martinez raised concerns about the hospitals' requests for additional funding.

Based on the expenditure reports he received covering January to June, some hospitals still had substantial remaining balances but were seeking additional budget allocations.

He cited Badian District Hospital, which had an allocation of P8 million for drugs and medicines but had reportedly spent only P882,125 during the first six months of the year.

Meanwhile, the hospital had spent only P3.37 million out of its P10 million allocation for medical, dental, and professional services during the same period.

"So the balance for July to September is P5 million plus for drugs and medicines, and P6 million was not used. Supposedly for utilization from July to December. Then they ask for another P1.9 million," Martinez said.

As for Tuburan District Hospital, Martinez said the facility proposed an allocation of P197,000 for computer technology despite reportedly having P1.06 million remaining from its P1.8 million allocation for information and communication technology.

Meanwhile, Ricardo Maningo Memorial Hospital had a P20 million allocation for medical, dental, and other services. Of this amount, P16.9 million had been spent from January to June, leaving approximately P3 million for the remainder of the year.

Under the supplemental budget, the hospital requested an additional P16.8 million.

"Ang ilang gipangayo karon sa supplemental budget is P16.8 million, so ang nagasto from June to September was something P2.9 million, and then the P16.8 million gastohon nila sa November and December. Mao na nangutana mi," Martinez said.

Aside from the requested P16.8 million, the hospital had also sought another P40 million for January 2027, according to Martinez.

Dr. Sheila Faciol, head of the Provincial Health Office (PHO), explained to the board members that Ricardo Maningo Memorial Hospital had fully exhausted its budget for medical, dental, and professional services due to an increase in patient cases, the utilization of its hemodialysis center, and the introduction of surgical services.

The hospital had also hired a dentist, making the establishment of a dental clinic necessary, she added.

The provincial budget officer Danilo Rodas, who appeared during the session, explained that the hospitals' requests had been evaluated based on their projected expenses through December.

He said the hospitals were considered to be in the best position to forecast their own needs. He also acknowledged that they did not want to scrutinize the hospitals' spending too closely or deny their requests, as doing so could result in shortages of medicines and supplies.

"Nahitabo naman gud sa una nga among slash ang budget unya diay kulang, kami ang giblame kay kulang. Lisod man kaayo if mahutdan ang hospital, mag-emergency purchase na sad sila," Rodas said.

Rodas also clarified that the hospitals' utilization reports covering January to September had been submitted to the Provincial Board's Committee on Budget and Appropriations, chaired by Martinez, on October 22, ahead of the regular session.

Martinez, however, had received only the reports covering January to June, which formed the basis of his concerns.

Board member Red Duterte proposed calling on the hospital chiefs to submit revised budget proposals for November and December, along with their expenditure records.

The board members approved the supplemental budget ordinance on third and final reading.(MyTVCebu)