Manila Bulletin
COVID-19 response may be hampered by a possible reenacted budget, Sen. Lacson warns
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III warned that the Philippines' COVID-19 response would suffer significantly if the government operates on a reenacted budget in 2021.
He explained that the proposed Department of Health (DOH) budget for 2021 is 27% higher than the 2020 budget, and a reenacted budget would be insufficient to cover necessary expenses, including vaccine procurement.
Diverting funds from other projects to address COVID-19 would also create new public health issues, such as increased cases of measles and polio.
Senator Panfilo Lacson echoed this concern, warning that a reenacted budget could delay the government's plans, including vaccine procurement.
Lacson noted that the proposed 2021 budget includes P2.5 billion for vaccine procurement, intended to cover 3.9 million Filipinos, but stated this amount is insufficient and should be increased.
Senator Pia Cayetano had previously urged colleagues not to discuss the possibility of a reenacted budget, stating the Speaker of the House committed that this scenario would not happen.
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