Budget Watch

DOH seeks bigger budget in 2021

Bonz Magsambol

This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

DOH seeks bigger budget in 2021

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III and World Health Organization Rabindra Abeyasinghe confirm the first case of Novel Coronavirus in the country during press briefing in Manila on January 30, 2020. The first case is a 38 year-old woman from Wuhan, China who travel via Hongkong to Manila. Photo by Inoue Jaena/Rappler

Embattled PhilHealth, an attached agency of the Department of Health, is allocated P71.35 billion

The Department of Health (DOH) sought a bigger budget in 2021 as the country grapples with the coronavirus pandemic.

In a virtual pre-budget briefing with the House Committee on Health on Wednesday, September 9, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III presented the agency’s proposed P203.74-billion budget for next year – 27% higher than its 2020 funds.

Table from Duque’s presentation

Under the proposed budget, P10 billion is allocated for procurement of vaccine, including P2.5 billion for COVID-19 vaccines of frontliners and indigent senior citizens; P4.65 billion for prevention and control of other infectious diseases; P38.96 billion for the implementation of the universal health care law, including the deployment of health workers; and P25 million would go towards the procurement of ambulances.

During the briefing, Duque said DOH plans to vaccinate 20 million Filipinos.

Meanwhile, the embattled Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) – an attached agency of the DOH – has been allocated with P71.35 billion.

Lawmakers in August investigated PhilHealth for alleged corruption as whistleblowers said some P15 billion ($309.6 million) in funds were pocketed by its executives.

The PhilHealth anomalies have fueled anger against the government at a time when the Philippines has the highest number of coronavirus cases in Southeast Asia. – Rappler.com

Add a comment

Sort by

There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation.

Summarize this article with AI

How does this make you feel?

Loading
Download the Rappler App!
Avatar photo

author

Bonz Magsambol

Bonz Magsambol covers the Philippine Senate for Rappler.