Big chunk of 2019 budget for health, social services, water, power projects
The government is seeking billions to bankroll programs on healthcare services, subsidies for the poor, and supplementary feeding program next year.
Under the proposed 13.757-trillion national budget for 2019, President Duterte said the Department of Health (DOH) would receive 1141.4 billion to implement the national
health insurance program, purchase medicines, and vaccines, improve nutrition, among others.
For social protection measures, Duterte said at least 188.1 billion would also be provided to support the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), and another 13.5 billion for the supplementary feeding program for day-care children next year.
The proposed national budget for 2019 was submitted by the President to Congress last Monday, the same day he delivered his State of Nation Address (SONA). Social services, including health, education, and social protection measures, will get the biggest portion of the budget at 11.377 trillion or 36.7 percent.
167.4 B for PhilHealth In the DOH budget, the President said 167.4 billion would be allocated to the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to fund the program providing affordable and accessible health insurance to indigent persons, senior citizens, and families.
“Universal health coverage ensures that low income individuals stay healthy and productive, thus resulting in improved capacities to access higher income opportunities,” Duterte said in his budget message to Congress.
The proposed health budget also covers the 115.2-billion acquisition of medicines, vaccines, and medical and laboratory supplies; 18-billion full immunization of 2.8 million children; 13 billion to strengthen the prevention, control, and eradication of infectious diseases.
Duterte said the government would also boost efforts in ensuring the safety of Dengvaxia vaccines. At least 1213 million would be allocated for the hiring of 425 surveillance officers to conduct activities to monitor the status of the vaccinated children.
To curb malnutrition, the government also allotted 1118 million for the DOH's Nutrition Intervention Package for the First 1,000 Days Program.
188.1 B for 4Ps The President, meantime, affirmed that the administration puts “premium” on providing benefits to poor families to help them deal with situations that threaten their welfare.
“To achieve this, some 188.1 billion will be provided to support our Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino (4Ps) that will provide cash grants to 4.4 million households,” Duterte said.
Priority will be given to those registered in the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction, victims of disasters rendered homeless and jobless, indigenous peoples, and transitioning household beneficiaries of 4Ps.
Apart from the 13.5-billion feeding program for 1.8 million day-care children, Duterte said
123.18 B for social pension
123.18 billion would be used for the social pension of 1500 per month for 3.7 million poor senior citizens.
Another 12.77 billion would be given to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for its Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDDS) to empower communities to participate in local government planning and budgeting.
11.3 B for socialized housing President Duterte has proposed a 1800 million budget for the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) and another 1500 million for the National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation (NHMFC) to sustain government's socialized housing program under the proposed 2019 national budget.
"Recognizing that decent housing, one of the basic needs for a comfortable life, has remained an elusive dream for a great number of Filipinos, we have made the fullfilment of this aspiration for poor and near-poor households a priority of this Administration," Duterte said in his budget message to Congress.
For 2019, the President said the SHFC budget would provide partial funding requirement for the High Density Housing Projects phase 2. The project seeks to benefit 3,679 informal settlers residing in danger areas in Metro Manila.
The proposed NHMFC budget, on the other hand, will fund the Socialized Housing Loan Take-out of Receivables program that offers affordable funding mechanism to concerned agencies, non-government organizations, cooperatives, and local government units. These institutions are involved in providing a housing program for their employees, constituents or members, Duterte said.
Apart from decent housing, the President pledged to ensure that access to services such as potable water and electric supply would be efficient and effective.
11.8-B for water projects He said Local Water Utilities Administration will receive 1325 million for its water supply and sanitation program, including the installation of service connections for housing units in resettlement areas.
The government also set aside 11.5 billion to support 384 water supply projects under the Salintubig or Sagana at Ligtas na Tubig para sa Lahat.
11.7 B for electrification On the electrification program, Duterte said the Department of Energy will be given 1500 million to energize 4,150 households for mini grids and 10,000 households for solar home system.
Another 11.2 billion will also be allocated for the Sitio Electrification Program of the National Electrification Administration to supply power to 775 sitios.