P1.16-B assistance to dengue vaccine recipients denied

The Senate closed its session on Wednesday without passing a bill that sought the appropriation of P1.16 billion to help children inoculated with the dengue vaccine Dengvaxia.

Senator JV Ejercito on Thursday expressed disappointment that the proposed supplemental budget to cover the medical assistance to dengue patients was no longer tackled on Wednesday, the last session day of Congress.

Ejercito said there was not enough senators around by the time the measure was taken up. The Senate had worked until the early hours of Thursday to pass the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law.

“I am disappointed but more of worried with the nonpassage of the supplemental appropriation for Dengvaxia vaccinees’ medical assistance,” he said in text messages to reporters. — CHRISTINE O. AVENDAÑO