DOH allots hefty ₧23.6-B budget for health-care facilities, services

THE Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has allocated P23.6 billion to construct, rehabilitate and upgrade the country’s health-care facilities and services nationwide.

The DBM said the lion’s share of the funds would be used for Department of Health (DOH) hospitals, which received an allocation of P11.2 billion followed by rural health units at P5.6 billion.

Other allocations will be used to construct, rehabilitate, and upgrade local government unit (LGU) hospitals worth P2.7 billion; barangay health stations, P2 billion; other health facilities, P1.3 billion; and polyclinics, P80 million.

“We must be prepared for any unprecedented situation and health emergencies. The Covid-19 pandemic has illustrated our need for a strong health-care system that’s why health care will continuously be a budget priority,” Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman said.

The funds will support the Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP), which is in line with the administration’s commitment to provide quality and affordable health care for all Filipinos. The program also seeks to bring proper health care to the regions and rural areas.

“The funds for the 2023 HFEP are focused on the gaps identified based on the updated Philippine Health Facility Development Plan for 2022 to 2040 that supports the implementation of the Universal Health Care Act,” Pangandaman added.

Overall, the health sector will receive a hefty budget allocation of P296 billion under the 2023 National Expenditure Program (NEP).

Apart from the improvement of health facilities and services, the administration will allocate funds to strengthen the country’s health care system by providing support to the health-care work force, research and development, and ensuring affordable and inclusive health care.