DOH: Lawmakers committed to increase P2.5-B budget for COVID-19 vaccine purchase

Lawmakers have committed to increase the P2.5 billion funding for the procurement of COVID-19 vaccines under the proposed P4.5-trillion budget for 2021, Health Undersecretary Rosario Vergeire said Monday.

Vergeire made the response given that the Health Department and a number of lawmakers already expressed concerns that the P2.5-billion allocation under President Rodrigo Duterte’s proposed budget is not enough to vaccinate 20 million poor Filipinos as targeted by President.

“May na-commit po under unprogrammed fund na P10 billion, and we also heard from our lawmakers that they are committed to help us get the additional P10.5 billion that we need for the 20 million people who will be prioritized for the vaccine,” Vergeire said in an online forum.

“Members of Congress gave their commitment that when it comes to vaccines, kung magkano ang kailangan, they will be supporting us,” she added.

Items in the unprogrammed fund will only be funded if there are resources available.

Members of Congress, however, have the power to realign budget items—meaning they would have to decrease allocation for other budget items to increase the budget for the purchase of COVID-19 vaccines.

In the event that the realignment does not pull through, Vergeire said securing loans via state-run banks Landbank of the Philippines and Development Bank of the Philippines is possible.

“This [securing of a loan] is definitely an option,” Vergeire added.

The Philippines has recorded 356,618 cases so far. Of this number 310,158 recovered while 6,652 died. The number of active cases is at 39,808. — RSJ, GMA News