COVID-19 Vaccine Funding Slashed Due To New Ammednment In 2021 Budget
COVID-19 VACCINE FUNDING SLASHED – As most countries prepare to procure coronavirus vaccines for 2021, the Philippines dropped its initial budget by around P10 billion.
According to an article from ABS-CBN, the Senate along with the House of Representatives approved the breakdown which comprises the purchase, storage, and distribution of the coronavirus vaccines:
- P8 billion under the Department of Health (under Office of the Secretary)
- P54 billion under unprogrammed appropriations for vaccines
- P21 billion under unprogrammed appropriations for storage, transportation and distribution costs of vaccines
As per the article, Senate Committee on Finance chair Sen. Sonny Angara explained that under the 2021 budget, P72.5B was allocated for the vaccines. Meanwhile, under Bayanihan 2, P10B was allocated.
“Under the budget for 2021 there is P72.5 billion total for vaccines while under Bayanihan 2 there is P10 billion so a total of P82.5 billion once the budget is passed into law“, he said.
Currently, the DOH ranks 6th among government offices with the highest budget. Despite the pandemic, the Health Department lagged behind the DPWH, DILG, DND, and DSWD.
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