DBM releases P45.7B for DOH’s COVID-19 response efforts

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has approved the release of P45.717 billion to fund the COVID-19 response efforts of the Department of Health (DOH), according to President Rodrigo Duterte.

Duterte made the disclosure in his fifth weekly report to Congress as mandated by the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, which gave him additional powers to effectively tackle the public health emergency.

Of the P45.717 billion, Duterte said P1.35 billion will go to the purchase of 1,500 units of mechanical ventilators to serve the needs of DOH hospitals, selected hospitals being run by local government units, military hospitals and the Philippine General Hospital.

As of April 23, a total of 1,101 COVID-19 referral hospitals have been designated across the country, with every region having at least one hospital, the President said.

The total number of dedicated beds for COVID-19 patients is 7,732 while the total number of mechanical ventilators for both public and private hospitals is 1,381. —LDF, GMA News