OCD says no truth to reports it is getting medical supplies of hospitals

April 2, 2020

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) denied a report that its personnel were raiding hospitals to confiscate their supply and equipment.

"There are fake news spreading that some hospitals were raided by government specifically OCD to confiscate their supplies and equipment to distribute to other hospitals, this is fake news," Mark Timbal, OCD spokesman, said on Thursday.

"As you know, like in the Mindanao and Taal operations, OCD has been gathering resources thru procurement and donations.  What we have pooled are distributed to various recipients," he said.

"In the case of the COVID-19 response, OCD procured personal protective equipment (PPEs) and other medical supplies and received donations from various donors. These are then provided to various hospital recipients," Timbal said.

"We are very grateful to all our donors and the member-agencies of the NDRRMC who provide logistical support for the transport of the various items that we are giving to hospitals across the country," he added.

Timbal said another report saying that the OCD is allegedly "diverting the donations to the hospital-based Malasakit Center" is also  fake news.

"As you may have seen in our official website, the PPEs and supplies we purchased and donations we received are distributed directly to hospitals attending to the COVID-19 patients. There is no stopover of donations elsewhere or repacking/rebranding being done in our warehouse," he said.

"We take our responsibilities seriously and we will never be inclined to pass the buck to other people. This is our process ever since, as you have seen in our previous disaster operations. Whatever we procure or whatever donation we receive, we directly provide it to the intended recipients. In this case, the hospitals," he added.

Undersecretary Ricardo Jalad, OCD administrator, said on Wednesday  OCD has distributed medical supplies and equipment in different hospitals in Luzon.

Jalad said Dasmarinas City Medical Center, Skyline Hospital and Ospital ng Paranaque received 10,000 surgical face masks each.

The Jose Rodriguez Memorial Hospital Caloocan City got 10,000 surgical face masks, 2,000 surgical gloves, and 100 coverall suits.

The Veterans Memorial Medical Center also received another set of protective equipment, including 100 coverall suits, 2,000 surgical gloves, and 10,000 surgical masks.

Jalad said the OCD also "released additional Personal Protective Equipment supplies to East Avenue Medical Center, including 100 coverall suits, 2,000 surgical gloves, and 10,000 surgical masks.

"He said the "Philippine General Hospital received the second batch of protective equipment which includes 100 coverall suits, 2,000 surgical gloves, and 10,000 surgical masks" while "100 coverall PPE suits, 2,000 surgical gloves, and 10,000 surgical masks were turned over to the National Kidney and Transplant Institute.

Timbal said the OCD have also facilitated  distribution of PPEs and medical supplies to various hospitals in Western Visayas.

"Some of the items were donations facilitated by the office of Sen. Bong Go," he said.

"OCD has engaged in a drive to support COVID-19 attending hospitals across the country by providing augmentation PPE and medical supplies, both purchased by OCD or donated by various individuals, groups and sectors," he added. Robina Asido/DMS