‘DOH proposed nearly P14 billion to fund RH bill in 2012’

MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Health is proposing close to P14 billion to fund the controversial Reproductive Health bill in 2012, Senator Pia Cayetano disclosed during plenary deliberations of the measure on Tuesday.

“For 2012, (the DOH is asking) P13.7 billion,” Cayetano, head of the Senate committee on health and demography, responding to Senator Lito Lapid’s query.

Based on the DOH’s proposal, P18.5 million would be allocated for capacity building, P12.5 million for priority health program, and P3 million for the major final output of the health policy and development program.

But Cayetano quickly clarified that she has not yet given her support for the proposed budget, saying it was just the proposal submitted by the DOH.

Senate President Juan Ponce-Enrile then took the floor and expressed his surprise about the proposed budget for the bill.

“I was struck by the statement of the sponsor that there were proposals already about the budgetary component of this measure…” said Enrile , who is strongly opposing the passage of the bill.