DOH, DBM propose varying amounts for 2022 COVID-19 response budget

This undated electron microscope image made available by the U.S. National Institutes of Health in February 2020 shows the Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. (NIAID-RML via AP)

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) have disagreeing figures regarding the proposed funding for the government’s COVID-19 war chest next year.

This, even as the country continues to struggle in its efforts to beat the coronavirus pandemic.

Marikina City Rep. Stella Luz Quimbo pointed out that based on the submission of the DBM to the House committee on appropriations, the proposed 2022 budget for the government’s COVID-19 response was at P48.44 billion.

But the DOH’s figure on the same spending item for next year was at P19.68 billion.

“Ano ba talaga ang totoong (What is the real) number, is it P19 billion, is it P48 billion?” Quimbo, an economist, asked. “Nakakapagtaka (It’s baffling) because I’m sure you’re looking at the same document which is the NEP [National Expenditure Program]. Why is there such a big variation?”

“Pag titingnan natin (If we look at it), only P10.1 billion would match. There are other items for which both agency reports don’t match,” she added.

Quimbo pointed out that among the differences in the submissions of DOH and DBM is the funding for personal protective equipment (PPE).

The lawmaker said that DBM data show that P819 million is allotted for the PPE procurement while DOH’s proposal is at P3.44 billion.

There is also a difference between the budget allocated for the provision of quarantine services and surveillance at the Bureau of Quarantine, among others, Quimbo added.

“Sa inyong pananaw, magkano talaga ang nakalaan para sa (In your view, how much should really be earmarked for) COVID response and this is very important because ‘yun ang pinanggagalingan ng kumpyansa ng ating mga kababayan (that’s where the confidence of our people are coming from). ‘Pag sinabing napakaliit, pano natin susugpuin ang (When you say it’s too small, how do we beat) COVID?” Quimbo inquired.

Cebu 5th District Rep. Vincent Franco Frasco, who was sponsoring the proposed budget of the DOH, stood by the health agency’s data.

According to Frasco, the DOH initially proposed P92.95 billion to the DBM to fund COVID-19 programs next year but the agency was only granted P19.68 billion.

“We are appealing this amount,” Frasco said.

The Commission on Audit earlier flagged the DOH and the DBM for the P42 billion worth of  COVID-19 supplies procurements without the required memorandum of agreement and other supporting documents.

Currently, both chambers of Congress – the House of Representatives and the Senate – are separately conducting investigations on the alleged government purchase of overpriced COVID-19 supplies.

KGA