Senator Christopher "Bong" Go said he is confident that the increase in the Department of Health’s (DOH) budget would bode well for the millions of Filipinos this year.
The Senate Committee on Health and Demography chairman noted that under the 2024 General Appropriations Act (GAA), approximately P241.1 billion has been earmarked for the DOH, significantly rising from the initially proposed P199.1 billion in the National Expenditure Program (NEP).
Go played a key role in ensuring there is sufficient budget for health this year following concerns over a tremendous decrease in the budget for the health sector.
The senator expressed his elation over the budget augmentation noting the P42-billion increase.
“This budget represents hope and improved health opportunities for millions of Filipinos. I am immensely proud that we have managed to secure this for our kababayans (people),” he stated.
This year’s budget notably includes increased funding for the operations of DOH Regional Hospitals, which has been raised to approximately P50.9 billion in the GAA, up from around P49.8 billion in the NEP.
Moreover, Congress also increased the funding for the Medical Assistance for Indigent Patients (MAIP) program with an allocation of nearly P58.1 billion, significantly higher than the NEP's proposal of about P22.3-billion.
The Cancer Assistance Fund (CAF) also saw an increase, with approximately P1.25 billion allocated in the GAA, up from the NEP's proposed P1 billion and 2023’s budget of P500 million.
Under the 2024 budget, around P20-billion has also been allocated for Public Health Emergency Benefits and Allowances while about P28.6-billion was allocated for the Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP) to improve health facilities nationwide including the establishment of 132 more Super Health Centers that Go has been pushing for in the past.
"With great budget comes great responsibility. Every peso must be spent wisely, with transparency and accountability, to serve the Filipino people especially the less fortunate," Go remarked.
But he further emphasized the need to prioritize the health needs of the marginalized.
“Our primary concern must be the underprivileged — those facing challenges accessing even the most basic healthcare services,” he said.
“This budget increase is a commitment to them, ensuring that financial constraints do not hinder anyone's right to health services," the senator stated.
Likewise, Go stressed the need to bridge the healthcare gap between urban and rural areas.
“It's essential that our people, regardless of where they live, have access to quality healthcare facilities," Go stressed.