Cancer assistance fund of P529.2M available until end of 2023 – DBM

MANILA, Philippines — Some P529.2 million worth of funds for cancer patients can now be used until the end of 2023, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) announced Monday.

The DBM and the Department of Health (DOH) released a joint memorandum circular outlining the guidelines for using the Cancer Assistance Fund (CAF).

“Malaking tulong po para sa ating mga kababayan itong nakalaang pondo for cancer assistance na maaari na pong magamit sa mga DOH hospital access sites at iba pang health facilities sa bansa,” DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said in a statement.

(The allocated budget for the cancer assistance fund would be a huge help for our fellow Filipinos, which they can use to access various DOH hospital access sites and other health facilities in the country.)

“We hope that it will ease the burden of many cancer patients, as we know that cancer is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality amongst Filipinos,” she added.

The P529.2 million worth of funds is included in the 2022 budget of the DOH under the Republic Act. No. 11215, or the National Integrated Cancer Control Act, which provides financial support for cancer patients, persons living with cancer, and survivors.

The CAF shall likewise cover outpatient and inpatient cancer control services, including but not limited to diagnostics, therapeutic procedures, and medicines.

With a cash-based budgeting system, beneficiaries can avail of the said fund until December 31, 2023.

The joint memorandum circular will take effect 15 days after publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation.

—Irish Lorraine Perez, Inquirer.net trainee

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