Senate wants P14-B extra budget explained before approving DOH 2015 appropriations

The Department of Health must first explain how it intends to spend the P14 billion supplemental budget under its 2015 appropriations before the Senate budget committee gives its blessings on the P102 billion in appropriations the department is seeking from the national appropriations.

 

In an interview with reporters on Monday, Senator Teofisto "TG" Guingona III said the Health Department failed to present a complete breakdown of the P14 billion supplemental budget that it is asking for next year. 

 

"Fourteen billion pesos ang supplemental budget na hinihingi nila... Para saan 'yun? 'Yung ang hinihingi naming detalye kasi masyadong general [ang listahang binigay nila]," the senator said. 

 

"Antayin pa namin... kaya nga hindi pa na-approve dito sa hearing 'yung budget," he added.

 

Among the projects to be funded under the supplemental budget is the P5-billion allocation for Philippine Health Insurance Corp., according to the senator.

 

He said the money will cover the implementation of the recently passed Senate Bill No. 712, which seeks to provide mandatory PhilHealth coverage for senior citizens regardless of economic status.

 

Likewise, Guingona questioned the status of local health stations. During the hearing, it was revealed that only 2 percent of the proposed buildings have been completed. 

 

"The other thing is 'yung health facilities ngayon... 'yung mga barangay health stations at rural health units... masyadong maliit 'yung accomplishment. Kailangan nating pag-aralan kung bakit maliit 'yung accomplishment," he said. 

 

"This year we’re going to give out P13 billion [for local health stations]... In 2015… we have to find out what’s causing the delay… We have come across something where we’re allocating a lot of money and yet the utilization and the completion are very disappointing," he added. – VS, GMA News