The time of avian flu

cuts: environmental and occupational health concerns (95 percent cut), noncommunicable disease prevention and control (82 percent cut), prevention and control of HIV and other waterborne diseases (14 percent cut), elimination of malaria and other public health threats (58 percent cut), and the MOOE of 66 regional and special hospitals, the budget for which would be slashed by 28 percent.

We cannot forget the budget message of the 2018 proposed budget: reform and transform. Looking at the DOH budget in the time of an avian ask these questions: Reform what? Transform what?

The public is totally clueless on what the lump sums proposed by Mr. Diokno, the budget secretary, in the 2018 budget contain, said Mr. Tinio.

The avian flu outbreak should lead to a bipartisan, bicameral effort to correct the disastrous course being pursued by the DOH budget for next year. It is out of Mr. Duterte’s power now, with Congress about to start the deliberations on the proposed budget for 2018. Instead of the lump sums, specific, detailed items on disease surveillance, control and prevention should be underscored to dramatize their national importance.

Public health and public safety are the binding themes of 99 percent of all government expenditures, including the budget for national defense. It is the same thrust of DU30’s all-out war on drugs. Slashing by 99 percent the vital public health expenditures violates every sacred principle of the state and the sworn obligations of the President.

The other vexing issue raised by Mr. critic of lump sums in the person of Mr. Diokno to favor lump sums now that he is the budget czar?

Mr. Tinio does not know. Same here and 99 percent of all Filipinos who care about public health and welfare.

One thing is sure. The lump sum policy of the DOH is contrary to sanity, logic and all the known standards and norms of governance.

- of the March of Folly.