Region 1 hospital chief placed under preventive suspension

DAGUPAN CITY, Philippines – The chief of the Region 1 Medical Center (R1MC) here has been placed under 90-day preventive suspension by the Department of Health (DOH) pending investigation into alleged discrepancies and inconsistencies in the bidding and procurement process of some projects.

Dr. Roland Mejia has no longer reported to work since Monday and was replaced by Dr. Emmanuel Acluba, center chief of the Cagayan Valley Medical Center based on an order issued by Health Secretary Enrique Ona.

The STAR contacted Mejia but he declined to be interviewed, saying he could not comment on an ongoing investigation as his side may be biased. He said he would just call a press conference next week.

Dr. Michael Canto, R1MC spokesman, said the hospital staff had paid a courtesy call on Acluba.

He also refused to comment on the nature of Mejia’s case, saying he did not have complete knowledge about it.

But he gave assurance that the work flow and services in the R1MC remains normal despite Mejia’s suspension.

Dr. Myrna Cabotaje, DOH regional director, said in a radio interview that the preventive suspension is just a normal process while an investigation is being conducted. 

“I would like to emphasize that it is a preventive suspension. That is part of due process,” she said.

Based on an internal audit, Cabotaje said some inconsistencies in R1MC projects were uncovered, thus warranting an inquiry to secure evidence and Mejia’s preventive suspension.

“During the course of the preventive suspension, Mejia might be cleared or not depending on the findings of the team that conducts the probe,” Cabotaje said.

“It is enough to say that there are charges, they are still to be proven and we do not want to highlight it because we might be charging anyone with publicity. Dr. Mejia will have his chance to explain the accusations against him,” Cabotaje added.

Meanwhile, Acluba was accompanied by Cabotaje and DOH Assistant Secretary Gerry Bayuga when he reported to R1MC to allay any anxiety among the employees brought about by Mejia’s suspension.

Under Mejia’s tenure, the R1MC had major infrastructure projects.

In the pipeline is the construction of a P1.5-billion, 11-story building, which would make the R1MC the biggest government-owned hospital north of Luzon with 1,500-bed capacity. The project though has yet to start.

R1MC was given last year an International Standard Organization certification, a first in the hospital’s 88 years of existence.

Also last year, the R1MC started operating with a 600-bed capacity ahead of the targeted 1,500-bed capacity.

Last March, the President opened the nearly P24-million emergency room complex of the R1MC which the national government partly funded.

The R1MC serves more than three million patients from Pangasinan, Tarlac, La Union and the Cordillera provinces.