DoH to procure IT system to track medicine stock
THE DEPARTMENT of Health (DoH) will be using a new IT system that will keep track of its medicine supply after the agency was flagged for more than P18 billion in undistributed drugs. DoH, in a statement on Saturday, said they are in the process of bidding for new technology that will efficiently systematize their drug inventory. The DoH’s inventory is manually processed through acquiring third party logistics providers. “To ensure efficiency in the distribution of drugs and medicines, the Department is currently in the process of procuring a customized Electronic Logistics Management Information System for easy access to information on availability of stock, stock-outs, real-time inventory balances, expiring and about to expire commodities, utilization even at the LGU levels and among other important information needs,” DoH said. The Commission on Audit (CoA) earlier reported that P18.49 billion worth of medicines nearing expiry dates were unutilized and stored in DoH warehouses. As of August, DoH said P12.22 billion worth of medicines have been distributed and recorded, while the rest have yet to be reconciled with inventory records. — Gillian M. Cortez
158 OFWs repatriated from UAE
THE DEPARTMENT of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has repatriated 158 distressed overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from the United Arab Emirates due to trafficking. Of the total, 74 were from Abu Dhabi and the remaining 84 from Dubai. “In line with President Rodrigo Duterte’s commitment to protect the welfare and well-being of Filipinos overseas, we welcome home this morning 158 OFWs, most of whom were victims of trafficking in persons,” Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs Sarah Lou Y. Arriola was quoted as saying in a statement, Sunday. DFA noted that over 4,800 Filipinos have been repatriated from UAE since January this year, which cost the government P135.34 million in assistance. In 2018, the government repatriated 5,842 OFWs from Dubai and another 3,533 from Abu Dhabi, which cost over the P175.21 million. The repatriation was the joint effort of the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General in Dubai. The DFA, meanwhile, again warned Filipinos seeking overseas employment through tourist visas as this exposes them to more abuses and exploitation by employers abroad. “The Philippine government strongly condemns the abuses being experienced by our OFWs in the hands of their recruiters or employers. DFA will continue to partner with other member agencies of the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) to prevent and suppress trafficking,” Ms. Arriola said. — Charmaine A. Tadalan
Duterte retracts on drug claims vs generals
PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte on Sunday backtracked on his earlier claim that two generals were involved in illegal drugs.
“I must admit my ignorance,” Mr. Duterte told reporters upon his arrival from Russia yesterday, adding that he only got confused with the military titles.
Mr Duterte said one of the military officials involved was actually a colonel. He did not identify the official.
The president last week said two generals were involved in illegal drug trading.
His comments come as the Senate investigates the illegal drug trade inside jails that can be allegedly traced to high-ranking police officials. — Arjay L. Balinbin
