While the Philippines continues to grapple with the effects of COVID-19 pandemic, the Senate showed their commitment to supporting the health sector by increasing its funding for 2021 by 20-30 percent.
Sonny Angara, who chairs the Senate Finance Committee, gave a sponsorship speech highlighting the importance of pandemic response to the country’s recovery.
“Government must lead and exude the confidence that the Philippines can recover and bounce back,” Angara said.
“That’s where this budget is perhaps most critical—as a well-spring of trust, confidence and hope, in the midst of worldwide uncertainty.”
The Senate has allocated an additional ₱10 billion in unprogrammed funds for the COVID-19 vaccine in 2021. Meanwhile, up to ₱16.6 billion will be allocated to the Department of Health for the hiring and payment of salaries and benefits of more medical frontliners.
Some ₱2.7 billion will also be used to purchase personal protective equipment for frontliners.
