Solon seeks P2.04-B supplemental budget in fight vs nCoV

MANILA, Philippines — A House lawmaker on Tuesday filed a bill seeking to appropriate P2.04 billion as the supplemental budget for disease control and prevent amid the threat posed by novel coronavirus or 2019-nCoV to the country.

Albay Rep. Joey Salceda filed House Bill No. 6177 which would be used to obtain surgical masks and protective equipment for patients under investigation (PUIs) and health workers.

The breakdown of the costs of surgical masks and personal protective equipment (PPE) are as follows:

-Surgical masks for PUIs (P945,000);
-Surgical masks for health care workers (P9,450,000);
-PPE for health care workers (P2,025,000,000)

Further, an additional P4.52 million will be used for the health department’s assistance for 40 repatriates.

“The amount appropriated shall be released by the Department of Budget and Management to the Department of Health (DOH) in accordance with budgeting, accounting, and auditing laws, rules and regulations. The DOH shall issue the guidelines necessary for the proper procurement of these items,” the bill states.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on Sunday confirmed the second case of the virus in the country—a 44-year-old Chinese man who was admitted to San Lazaro Hospital in Sta. Cruz, Manila for pneumonia after experiencing fever, cough, and sore throat.

Duque said the Chinese man passed away on Saturday, February 1, making him the first case of nCoV death outside China.

The Chinese man was the companion of the 38-year old Chinese woman who was earlier confirmed as the first case of nCoV in the country.