Board members donate money for medical oxygen

By Felipe V. Celino 

ROXAS CITY, Capiz – Some provincial board members on Monday agreed to contribute money to buy medical oxygen for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients at the Roxas Memorial Provincial Hospital (RMPH).

The money was taken from their respective assistance to indigent in crisis situations (AICS) funds and maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE) budget.

This was the move of the Committee on Appropriations of the Sanggunian Panlalawigan chaired by board member Jonathan Besa during the committee hearing on the problems faced by the provincial hospital, particularly the lack of medical-grade oxygen.

The board members that voluntarily offered their office budget were:

* Board Member Ricky Martin – P1,531,500 (OMOE-A) and 178,000 (AICS-A)

* Board Member Jonathan Besa – P1,132,000 (OMOE-A)

* Board Member Thea Faith Reyes – P600,000 (AICS-A)

* Board Member Steve Contreras – P150,000 (AICS-A)

* Board Member Tambol Apolinario – P200,000 (AICS-A)

The board members unanimously agreed to create a resolution asking Governor Esteban Evan Nonoy Contreras to use the funds of other board members, including the funds from the Capiz Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (P649,975.84), Capiz Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office (P2,196,100.00), and Office of the Governor for Financial Assistance During Crisis Situation (P10,000,000), to fund the needs of RMPH.

During the recent regular session of the provincial board, it was agreed to call the representative from the RMPH in the person of Dr. Edmarie Tormon, and Provincial Budget Officer Antonio Arbis after Besa “blew his top” over the recent statement of the RMPH.

The RMPH’s statement said that they will call for ‘time out’ once the hospital reaches its full capacity for COVID-19 patients because of lack of medical oxygen.