An irate President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday ordered Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial to finish immediately the construction of medical hospitals for soldiers by the end of July as he again expressed disappointment over the slow process involving government procurement.
Speaking before government troops in Sarangani province, Duterte reiterated that the government “will not forget” the families of soldiers who are slain in battle. He however, vented his ire over the slow pace of government procurement in the city.
“Ayaw ko naman palakihin ang ulo ko, but since I assumed the presidency, lahat ng equipment, to arrest the risk of infection [binili ko],” Duterte said, calling afterwards his top aide, Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go to ask a question. “Bong, sandali a. Umiinit na naman ulo ko.”
Duterte then tried to seek for answers from his top aide about the developments on his August 2016 vow for a “state-of-the-art” military equipment and a new building for the Armed Forces of the Philippines Medical Center, only to get a response from AFP chief Eduardo Año that the procurement process just hurdled the “bidding” stage.
“I hope they can do it this month. I directed Ubial, to finish it in the month of July because this is how the government works. I won’t be puzzled if you’re mad because you don’t have equipment,” the President said.
He then vowed to buy “life-saving equipment” that will be brought to Jolo and Cotabato.
Last August 2016, Duterte promised soldiers that around P500 million will soon be released for “state-of-the-art” military equipment and a new building for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Medical Center, equipped with more medical equipment like MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging), CT Scan, and equipment for surgical operations.
In the same speech, Duterte said that the trust fund he promised is already deposited at the Central Bank.
“I assure we will not forget your families pag namatay na tayo. By the time I left the presidency, meron talaga akong iiwan sa inyo. and it will be a trust fund [it will be in the central bank] … and it will be solely para sa education ng anak ninyo,” he added.