‘DOH budget to increase despite proposed cut’

Sen. Sonny Angara said he is confident that the Department of Health’s (DOH) budget will be increased after the proposed P10-billion reduction in the agency’s funding passes through Congress.

“Legislators historically augment the program for MAIP or medical assistance for indigents,” Angara, chair of the Senate Finance Committee, said.

During the deliberations on the DOH budget, Sen. Francis  Tolentino said they will ask for the specific reasons for the reductions.

The country’s four specialty hospitals, he said, deserve more resources considering that they treat non-communicable chronic diseases that are long-lasting such as pulmonary fibrosis and other cardiovascular ailments.

These diseases affect a large segment of our population, he said.

Sen. JV Ejercito added that “we can make sacrifices elsewhere but we cannot compromise the budget for health programs, especially for the implementation of Universal Healthcare Law, which would benefit all Filipinos.”

Sen. Bong Revilla said the amount seems insufficient as it will be smaller compared to the 2023 budget. He said the DOH’s current budget is not enough for the hospitals. “We need to address the sector’s needs better,” he said.

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III said wasted allocation will be unacceptable considering the proposed cut. He said there should be no wastage and leakages when it comes to the purchase of vaccines, medicines, vitamins, and other supplies.

“We should not cut the budget for the basic services. But in calculating the amounts needed for the basic services, we should also not allow the bloating of these amounts,” he said.

For her part, Sen. Grace Poe said the budget of the four specialty hospitals is “wanting” and should be boosted to provide service to more Filipinos, especially the poor.

“A cut is not the way to go to have a healthy citizenry,” she said.

She assured they will examine carefully the DOH budget when it reaches the Senate.

“Leakages and inefficiencies in spending should be addressed instead of slashing funds,” she further stated.

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