House Majority Leader and Leyte 1st District Representative Martin G. Romualdez is optimistic that the 2022 proposed national budget will help bring back the “health and strength” of the Filipino people, as well as the “vigor” of the country’s economy.

In a statement, Romualdez said the 2022 National Expenditure Program (NEP), which was submitted to Congress on Monday (Aug. 23), puts a “premium on the health sector.”

Under the proposed P5.024 trillion budget, P252.4 will be allocated to the health sector.

Of which, P30 billion will be used to purchase "drugs, medicines, vaccines, and medical and dental supplies for distribution to government health care facilities."

The national government also aims to boost the health sector’s man power by allocating P17 billion to hire 26,035 health care professionals for both public and private hospitals in underserved areas.

Another P3.8 billion was allotted for the emergency hiring of 6,810 COVID-19 Human Resources for Health (HRH).

The solon said the establishment and operation of the Virology Science and Technology Institute of the Philippines will also be given adequate funds under the proposed 2022 NEP.

“This, I believe, will help our common efforts to sustain our COVID-19 response efforts while supporting the gradual transition to full recovery,” Romualdez said.

Aside from the heath sector, a chunk of the budget will also go to social protection and education sector which has an allocation of P475.9 billion, and P803 billion, respectively.

“Now that Congress has formally received the 2022 NEP, it is now the duty of your Representatives to review the proposed budget to ensure that the people’s taxes will be spent fairly and equitably among regions,” the solon said.