Senators question 2021 budget's DOH allocation

Senators questioned the economic team's priorities regarding the proposed P4.5-trillion national budget for 2021, particularly the reduction in health and social safety net allocations despite the ongoing pandemic.

Senator Franklin Drilon criticized the Department of Health (DoH) budget cut by 14% to P131 billion for 2021, arguing that economic recovery depends on public health confidence.

Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado stated that the DoH budget has actually increased from P104.493 billion to P131.721 billion for next year, but Drilon pointed out that the current adjusted DoH budget is P153.1 billion including emergency releases.