DOH needs P3.1 billion for COVID-19 response efforts

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MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday said that it needs P3.1 billion to effectively address the threats of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the country.

During the hearing of the House committee on appropriations regarding the bills seeking supplemental budget for COVID-19 response, DOH Undersecretary Roger Tong-an said the health department needs P2.35 billion for the procurement of personal protective equipment, P933 million for the Bureau of Quarantine, and P139 million for the tests conducted by the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM).

Tong-an said there are some possible fundings where they can source the needed budget.

This includes P2-billion funds from Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) and P539 million from the health department’s savings.

The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) has likewise intended to give P420 million, Tong-an said.

House committee on health chair Quezon Rep. Angelina Tan earlier filed House Bill No. 6166, which seeks to augment the budget requirements of the Department of Health (DOH) to procure surgical masks for patients under investigation and personal protective equipment for health workers.

The funds, amounting to P2.04 billion, will also be used to repatriate Filipinos overseas, particularly those in mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau.

Meanwhile, Albay Rep. Joey Salceda filed a similar bill seeking P2.06 billion supplementary budget also for the procurement of surgical masks and protective personal equipment.

Edited by JPV