Ospital ng Muntinlupa in critical condition

The City’s primary tertiary public hospital is in serious trouble—and is in need of intensive care.

A comprehensive inventory of the Ospital ng Muntinlupa (OsMun) has revealed massive deficiencies, questionable practices, and facilities in various states of neglect and disrepair as a result of apparent mismanagement in the last six years.

“It is truly unfortunate that our very own hospital, meant to help Muntinlupeños who need health care, is now in a very serious condition,” Mayor Jaime R. Fresnedi said. “The state of OsMun is truly unbelievable, but we need to work hard and fast to make sure that our hospital is able to meet the needs of our citizens.”

Based on a report from OsMun submitted to the mayor, the hospital has as much as Php9,437,376.26 of unaccounted income and Php1,302,059.45 worth of ghost deliveries. This is on top of contracts with outside suppliers that are either unfavorable to OsMun or not supported by contracts at all.

The inventory also revealed that most major services such as Radiology, Laboratory, Pulmonary Units, Dialysis, Dietary, and Security are outsourced; moreover, the hospital Pharmacy and Medical Supplies are significantly lacking, leading to a dependence on outside suppliers.

The problem with these outsourced services is that almost all of these are not properly supervised and accounting is spotty. The report found out that the hospital’s Financial Report does not tally with reports from OsMun’s different units.

Other questionable practices include collections by the hospital Cashier for services at the Hearing Unit that use an outside supplier’s receipt instead of OsMun’s, with 80% of the fees collected going directly to the supplier. The hospital’s radiology consultant, as well as security guards, receives payment even if not regularly available and rendering only a few services.

And then there are the facilities, all in various states of disrepair and neglect. Hospital beds, surgical instruments, and equipment such as endoscopy and x-ray machines all need repair, while vital equipment mandated by the Department of Health such as cardiac monitors, defibrillators, laryngoscopes, ambubags, and emergency carts are nowhere to be found.

Donations such as a computer set and telefax from concerned individuals and groups are nowhere to be found, while more than 7,000 pieces of donated or purchased equipment were left unused in the hospital’s stockrooms and allowed to expire.

An ominous sign in the report is that out of OsMun’s 2013 operating budget of Php224,000,000.00, only Php84,345,807.56 remain, which is not enough to cover salaries, utilities, and payments to suppliers.

Fresnedi assured Muntinlupeños that he will not allow OsMun to die out. “We are working to restore services offered by OsMun, such as subsidies to indigent patients, and to ensure quality health care for all Muntinlupeños.”

During Fresnedi’s first term, OsMun offered subsidies of up to 75% to Muntinlupa residents and was ably supported by partnerships with the private sector, ensuring a steady flow of quality equipment and supplies. It also had competitive rates, allowing OsMun to have leading practitioners to ensure proper health care for citizens.

Fresnedi to make life easier for Munti PWDs

Persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Muntinlupa now have a reason to hope as Muntinlupa City Mayor Jaime R. Fresnedi has finally put the spotlight on this often-marginalized sector of society.

Fresnedi is leading efforts for the creation of the first Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) in Muntinlupa in hopes of taking better care of PWDs through programs, improvements, and a cultural paradigm shift aimed at uplifting their welfare.

“It’s unfortunate that the welfare of PWDs in Muntinlupa has been neglected for quite some time,” Fresnedi said. “We are now taking extra effort to make the City more accommodating towards persons with special needs because they are also Muntinlupeños.”

Among the initiatives included with the creation of the PDAO are surveying the total PWD population in Muntinlupa and creating a database of their specific needs and conditions. The City’s Social Services Department estimates 2,000 PWDs based in Muntinlupa but admits this still needs to be verified.

The initiative also involves the creation of livelihood and employment opportunities for PWDs. Fresnedi has directed the City’s Public Employment Services Office (PESO) to look into this matter and coordinate with businesses in Muntinlupa to give PWDs the jobs they need.

Fresnedi is first to point out that Muntinlupa has lagged in adhering to the provisions of Republic Act No. 10070, also known as the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons, in terms of disabled-friendly structures such as access ramps in all buildings and venues.

Fresnedi is also calling for increased awareness to the plight of PWDs as well as sensitivity to their condition. “We need to educate our citizens on how to treat PWDs with the respect that they deserve,” he added.

In line with this, an education program aiming to strengthen PWDs as they interact with society as well as teaching the proper cultural attitudes of the general population is to be implemented in the City.

Fresnedi is known in Muntinlupa for his disabled-friendly policies. During his first nine years as Mayor, Fresnedi personally delivered wheelchairs to deserving recipients through his Gulong ng Buhay (Wheels of Life) program.

Fresnedi leading drive to normalize Munti gov’t services

Muntinlupeños are starting to get used to the “new normal” as Muntinlupa City Mayor Jaime R. Fresnedi strives to return government services to their efficient levels in spite of a dire lack of funds.

Fresnedi conducted a spot inspection throughout the City over the weekend to see for himself how the local government’s line agencies are doing their work and directed them to step up their efforts.

“The challenge for us, obviously, is how to make the most with our limited budget,” Fresnedi said. “But doing things efficiently and to the best of one’s abilities can offset our financial limitations; we can also accomplish more if we help out each other,” he added.

Fresnedi directed the Environment Sanitation Center to improve garbage collection and in maintaining cleanliness in the City by conducting more frequent collection and sweeping activities.

He also oversaw the distribution of financial assistance to more than 100 families in barangay Cupang affected by a court order directing them to vacate the property. The residents voluntarily dismantled their structures in compliance with the order and were given P5,000 financial assistance by the City Government to help them start anew.

Fresnedi likewise monitored developments concerning the City’s ability to cope with flooding and heavy rains with the onset of the rainy season. He then directed the City’s rescue and social services to maintain constant readiness, as well as the City’s traffic bureau to ensure accessibility on all roads during calamities.

Muntinlupa opens employment opportunities to Japan

The return of Mayor Jaime R. Fresnedi has signaled the reopening of friendly relations between Muntinlupa City and Japan, with employment opportunities for Muntinlupeños who are seeking work abroad.

“We are especially grateful to our Japanese friends who are once again renewing their trust and faith in the people of Muntinlupa,” Fresnedi said. “We hope that this will help our fellow Muntinlupeños who need jobs to support their families and achieve their dreams.”

The City Government is coordinating with the Phil. Assist Life Manpower Corporation through the Public Information Office (PIO) as the lead agency, the Public Employment Services Office (PESO) and the Muntinlupa City Technical Institute (MCTI) in sending skilled manpower and agriculture specialists to six-month to three-year contracts in Japan.

General requirements include the applicant to be a Filipino citizen, have no tattoo, no late registration NSO Birth Certificate, and no operation in the body. Those who have experience working abroad with the related skills have an advantage, but applicants must have been in the Philippines for at least two years.

Agriculture specialists must be between 20-30 years old, at least four years graduate or two years undergraduate with a BS in Agriculture, majoring in Crop Science, Animal Science, Horticulture, Agronomy, or at least high school graduate with experience in farming.

Opportunities for skilled work include welding, framing construction work, plumbing work, lathe machine operation, machine assembly finishing work (electronics), construction painting work, industrial packaging work, scaffolding work, bar assembly work, bread baking work, metal press operation, metal painting work, and plastic moulding.

The City of Muntinlupa has had sister-city relations with the City of Takasaki in Japan, leading to numerous training opportunities, educational scholarships, and cultural exchanges between the two cities, during the leadership of Mayor Fresnedi.

Preparations are currently ongoing for the renewal of sister-city relations with the City of Takasaki this coming November, promising more opportunities in the area of student and teacher exchange programs, skilled worker training, and medical assistance exchanges.

With the restoration of friendly ties, Fresnedi looks to carry on the legacy of honorable Muntinlupeño Kiyoshi Osawa, a Japanese philanthropist who supported numerous students with their education, and whose initiatives are now being implemented by his son Ichiro.

Those who wish to take hold of these employment opportunities can get in touch with PIO (862-4926), PESO (861-4633 / 659-2563) and MCTI (403-9629) for more details.