The Department of Health (DOH) sought a bigger budget in 2021 as the country grapples with the coronavirus pandemic.

In a virtual pre-budget briefing with the House Committee on Health on Wednesday, September 9, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III presented the agency’s proposed P203.74-billion budget for next year – 27% higher than its 2020 funds.

Under the proposed budget, P10 billion is allocated for procurement of vaccine, including P2.5 billion for COVID-19 vaccines of frontliners and indigent senior citizens; P4.65 billion for prevention and control of other infectious diseases; P38.96 billion for the implementation of the universal health care law, including the deployment of health workers; and P25 million would go towards the procurement of ambulances.

During the briefing, Duque said DOH plans to vaccinate 20 million Filipinos.

Meanwhile, the embattled Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) – an attached agency of the DOH – has been allocated with P71.35 billion.

Lawmakers in August investigated PhilHealth for alleged corruption as whistleblowers said some P15 billion ($309.6 million) in funds were pocketed by its executives.

The PhilHealth anomalies have fueled anger against the government at a time when the Philippines has the highest number of coronavirus cases in Southeast Asia. – Rappler.com