DBM Sec. Amenah Pangandaman (INQUIRER.net / file photo / Ryan Leagogo)
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) on Tuesday said that the government allotted more than P2 billion in the 2024 National Expenditure Program for aid to cancer patients.
DBM Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman said that under the P1.7 billion allotment for the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases, P1.024 billion is dedicated to the procurement of 61 different cancer commodities such as Trastuzumab, Docetaxel, and Paclitaxel.
The DBM said this will benefit a total of 18,695 cancer patients.
“Meanwhile, the remaining P682.709 million of the P1.7 billion allocated under the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases initiative will cater to mental health patients numbering 124,246,” said the DBM.
The DBM also said that an additional P1 billion is dedicated to the Cancer Assistance Fund (CAF).
“In addition to the Cancer Control Program, P1 billion will be appropriated to the Cancer Assistance Fund (CAF) to subsidize the continuous medical aid for 6,666 cancer patients registered across 31 cancer access sites nationwide,” said the DBM in a statement.
The CAF will also partially fund outpatient and inpatient cancer control services, which will include therapeutic procedures and other cancer medicines.
Several lawmakers recently aired concerns over the P10 billion reduction in the proposed 2024 budget of the Department of Health (DOH) from 209 billion in 2023 to 199 billion next year.