DOH, DBM officials grilled over alleged overpriced face masks, shields

Senators grilled officials from the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) regarding the allegedly overpriced face masks and face shields procured in 2020.

The Commission on Audit (COA) flagged these procurements, noting face masks were bought at P27.22 each and face shields at P120 each.

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon highlighted that the DBM Procurement Service purchased over P1.66 billion worth of face masks, with each mask costing around P27.72 despite the DOH's suggested retail price being only P5.

Drilon also pointed out that face shields were purchased for P120 each, while the DOH's suggested retail price is between P26 to P50.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III suspects a connection between the DOH's insistence on mandatory face shield use and these allegedly overpriced purchases.

A DOH procurement director stated that suggested retail prices were not yet valid at the time of procurement and that they considered the reasonable price at that time.