Recto pushes for P150B standby funds for COVID-19 vaccination in 2021

MANILA, Philippines — The 2021 national budget should have up to P150 billion in standby appropriations for the COVID-19 vaccination of 60 percent of the country’s population, Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto said Monday.

“Shouldn’t we provide the appropriation if not in the program, since we’re borrowing the money anyway, in the unprogrammed fund of at least a P100 billion to 150 billion because that should provide confidence to the people,” Recto said during the Senate plenary debates on the budget.

Under the proposed budget being deliberated on in the Senate, a total of P18 billion is allocated for the government’s COVID-19 vaccination program.

Of the amount, P8 billion is under the programmed appropriations while P10 billion is considered as unprogrammed appropriations.

Unprogrammed appropriations refer to those “which provide standby authority to incur additional agency obligations for priority programs or projects when revenue collection exceeds targets, and when additional grants or foreign funds are generated,” according to the Department of Budget and Management’s website.

Recto pointed out that there is also P10 billion provided for the procurement of vaccines under the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act.

“So if we extend the validity of [Bayanihan 2 until next year], that’s already P28 billion [for the vaccines,” he added.

But the government would probably need at least P50 billion to purchase vaccines for 60 percent of the population to achieve “herd immunity.”

“At 1,000 [per dose], it’s P50 billion,” he said.

This still does not include the cost of storing and distributing the vaccine, Recto pointed out.

“So the distribution cost will probably be more than twice the cost of the vaccine… I’m bringing it out right here because I think that’s (vaccine) the most important portion of the budget for next year,” the senator said.

“Chances are we will need two doses. And to have herd immunity, what they’re saying is you need at least 60 percent of the population,” he added.

In response to this, Senator Sonny Angara said he is amenable to Recto’s proposed appropriation for the vaccine.

Angara is sponsoring the budget as chair of the Senate finance committee.

“Subject to the amount, philosophically, I would totally agree with you, subject to the amount,” Angara said.

EDV