Manila — The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) announced that around PHP49.75 billion will be allocated for the operational costs of 68 Department of Health (DOH) - run regional hospitals and other health facilities across the country.
According to a new release by the Philippines News Agency, this allocation is part of the proposed 2024 National Expenditure Program (NEP) and shows an increase of PHP1.31 billion from the PHP48.44 billion allocated in 2023. The increase is primarily due to adjustments in the Normative Financing of DOH hospitals and funds required for the expansion of Specialty Centers. DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman emphasized that this allocation underscores the government's commitment to augmenting the capabilities of primary healthcare facilities and ensuring the health of Filipino families. The funding is designed to prevent future health crises.
In a related development, the DBM also announced that an additional PHP22.98 billion will be included in the 2024 NEP for the improvement of the country’s health facilities and services. This budget will be allocated under the DOH's Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP) and will be used for the construction, rehabilitation, and upgrading of health facilities, rural health units, and polyclinics, as well as for the purchase of medical equipment and transport vehicles.