By Leilani S. Junio
MANILA, July 16 (PNA) — The Department of Health (DOH) on Thursday belied reports that the agency has a lump sum budget of Php 75.4 billion this year.
“There is no truth to lump sum budget of Php 75.4 billion for the DOH. For 2015, the DOH budget amounts to Php 87.6 billion,” said DOH Secretary Janette L. Garin in a press briefing held at the DOH media relations unit in Tayuman, Manila.
Garin said that the DOH pronouncement came after they double-checked the allegation but found nothing.
Garin also said that while she had high respect for former Senator Panfilo Lacson, who was also regarded as one of those who support DOH programs, she had the responsibility also to defend the image of DOH, which was being tainted by the accusation that lacked truth.
Garin said the Php 87.6-billion budget was distributed as Philippine Health Insurance Corp.’s premium for the 14.7 million poor families (Php 37.06 billion); for operation of 66 DOH hospitals (Php 20.39 billion); health programs such as vaccination, control of TB, HIV-AIDS, malaria, dengue, rabies, maternal and child care (Php 19.55 billion); improvement of local health facilities such as barangay health stations, rural health units, LGU hospitals (Php 5.6 billion); operations of 16 DOH regional hospitals (Php 3.73 billion); for 13 DOH treatment and rehabilitation centers (Php 0.64 billion); National Nutrition Council (Php 0.32 billion); and for Commission on Population (Php 0.31 billion).
“What we have as a lump sum is the Quick Response Fund (QRF) amounting to Php 500 million. This is intended for calamities and disasters,” she added.
The health chief reiterated that all its budgetary allocations were itemized in the 2015 GAA, including the target beneficiaries (identified populations, health facilities, etc.).
“In the spirit of transparency, the DOH is prepared to provide further breakdowns for the various budgetary items in the 2015 GAA and to clarify any misconceptions on the allocation and use of DOH funds,” the Lady health chief further said. (PNA)