DOH Vows Cooperation, Transparency In Probe

The Department of Health yesterday welcomed the investigation by the Office of the Ombudsman of Secretary Francisco Duque III and other DOH officials over alleged irregularities in the response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

- Sheila Crisostomo

In a statement, the DOH assured the ombudsman of compliance with all its directives.

“DOH officials will willingly cooperate with the authorities to ensure utmost transparency throughout the duration of the investigation and beyond,” the agency said.

But DOH maintained that the agency “has been transparent in the COVID-19 response, including procurement transactions and the provision of benefits to healthcare workers.”

It added that they already issued all checks to the heirs of 32 healthcare workers who succumbed to the virus and the 19 frontliners who acquired severe COVID-19 infections last June 9.

New claims are currently being processed.