Over P20 billion in funds are being sought by the executive branch for the purchase of Covid-19 vaccines next year.
Thus, bared Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Undersecretary Tina Canda during a press conference at the House of Representatives Monday morning, Aug. 22, just minutes after the agency submitted to House members the copy of the P5.268-trillion National Expenditure Program (NEP).
"Yes it is in under the unprogrammed fund...If im not mistaken mga P20-plus billion yun eh (that's around P20-plus billion)," Canda said in response to a query.
Regarding the amount, Canda said: "Because we still have vaccines in our inventory."
"But once na sinabing meron nang kailangan bilhin (we're told there is a need to purchase), kung bumili ng mga (if we're going to purchase) reformatted vaccines, we have sufficient cover under the ungprogrammed appropriation," the official said.
"Unprogrammed funds" refer to standby appropriations that the lawmakers have.
The Philippine government began its rollout of Covid-19 vaccines on March 1, 2021. The life-saving jabs are given free to Filipinos.
The NEP, which emanates from Malacañang, is the basis for the General Appropriations Bill (GAB), or the national budget.