What happened to DOH's $10-M pledge to WHO? Solon wants to know
At A Glance
- Rep. Rodolfo Ordanes urged a House probe into the DOH's $10‑million pledge to the WHO.
- He cited ongoing health system issues like hospital shortages, lack of personnel, and limited free medicines.
- Ordanes questioned the pledge's funding source, impact on DOH programs, and legal basis.
(Unsplash)
Senior Citizens Party-list Rep. Rodolfo “Ompong” Ordanes has called on the House of Representatives to investigate the Department of Health’s (DOH) promised $10-million contribution to the World Health Organization (WHO).
In House Resolution (HR) No. 1072, Ordanes stated that the amount was intended to support the WHO’s 2025‑2028 14th General Programme of Work.
According to the elderly legislator, the DOH’s pledge was announced during the 75th Western Pacific Regional Committee in October 2024.
Ordanes says that while promoting global health initiatives is important, the DOH must first consider the current state of the Philippine public health system.
He underscored that the health sector still faces challenges, including the limited capacity of public hospitals, shortage of healthcare personnel, and inadequate supply of free medicines.
“Maraming pagkakataon na humihingi kami ng mga gamot at bakuna para sa mga senior citizens ngunit hindi kami nabibigyan, samantalang ang pondong dapat sana’y inilaan para sa mga pangangailangang pangkalusugan ay napupunta sa ibang bagay,” Ordanes said.
(There are many times when we request medicines and vaccines for senior citizens but are not given, while funds that should have been allocated for health needs are diverted elsewhere.)
The lawmaker says that it is important to know where the $10 million will be sourced, what its impact will be on DOH programs, and whether there is sufficient legal basis for the pledge.
As of Wednesday, June 3, $10 million is equal to P618,930,000.
The DOH budget for 2026 is P253.84 billion, slightly higher than its 2025 allocation of P249.7 billion. Most of the funds are directed toward hospital operations and local health system support.