THE Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has allotted a total of P22 billion in order to strengthen healthcare services delivery around the country.
DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman confirmed the total P22.98-billion allocation for the Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP) of the Department of Health (DOH), whose aim is to enhance nationwide healthcare standards as part of the country’s commitment to healthcare reform.
“The proposed budget for FY 2024 reflects our commitment to strengthening the fundamental pillars of our healthcare system,” Secretary Pangandaman highlighted.
“With an allocated P22.98 billion, DOH’s HFEP will continue to lead the way in scaling up the nation’s healthcare facilities, a crucial aspect underpinning the realization of the Philippine Health Agenda (PHA),” she added.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. underscored the importance of fortifying the nation’s health infrastructure. In his FY 2024 budget message, he emphasized that they would sustain their efforts in strengthening government healthcare services to safeguard the population from future health crises. “By investing in state-of-the-art medical facilities, expanding healthcare access, and deploying healthcare professionals, we can provide high-quality care and respond effectively to any future health emergencies.”
The HFEP’s total allocation — P22,983,872,000 in total — will be specifically directed towards building, upgrading, and expanding government-run health care facilities all across the country. The allocation will also allow for the purchase of hospital equipment and medical transport vehicles.
The program will give priority to Universal Health Care (UHC) sites and Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAS), along with upgrading essential facilities for robust COVID-19 response measures and facilitating ongoing project construction and equipage.