DBM: P875.6B earmarked in proposed 2024 budget for underprivileged Pinoys' health needs

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has set aside over P800 billion to fund programs for medical care and health assistance to marginalized Filipinos under the proposed P5.768-trillion national budget next year.

The DBM allocated P875.6 billion under the 2024 National Expenditure Program (NEP) for the provision of medical care and support for the underprivileged.

Broken down, the Budget Department earmarked P101.5 billion for the National Health Insurance Program of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth).

The amount will fund the subsidies for the health insurance needs of the following:

• 12.75 million indigents under the National Household Targeting System;
• 8.26 million senior citizens under the Republic Act (RA) 10645 or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010;
• 136,030 unemployed persons with disability;
• 15,683 financially-incapable point-of-service patients; and
• 25,512 “PAyapa at MAsaganang PamayaNAn” beneficiaries.

Moreover, P22.3 billion will be budgeted for medical assistance to 1.31 million indigent and financially-incapacitated patients.

Meanwhile, P1.707 billion will be allocated for the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases, broken down as follows:

• P1.024 billion to benefit 18,695 cancer patients; and
• P682.709 million allotted to 124,246 mental health patients in 362 mental health access sites.

The DBM said allocations will be utilized for the acquisition of Cancer medicines such as Trastuzumab 600 mg/5ml, Docetaxel 40 mg/mL, Paclitaxel 6 mg/mL, etc.; and mental health medications including Sodium Valproate 250 mg, Paliperidone Palmitate 100 mg, Haloperidol 5 mg/mL, etc.

Another P1 billion will be budgeted for the Cancer Assistance Fund for the continuous medical assistance of cancer patients enrolled in 31 cancer control access sites nationwide.

The amount is higher by P500 million compared to the 2023 General Appropriations Act due to the increasing number of enrolled cancer patients nationwide.

The provision for the CAF shall fund outpatient and inpatient cancer control services, including but not limited to therapeutic procedures, and other cancer medicines needed for the treatment and management of cancer and its care-related components, according to the DBM.

The agency added that the amount will serve 6,666 patients enrolled in 31 cancer access sites to augment financial support for cancer diagnostics and laboratories not covered by PhilHealth, at an average cost of P150,000 per patient.

On the other hand, P8.3 billion will be allotted to fund Family Health and Responsible Parenthood programs consisting of Immunization at P7.1 billion, Family Planning and Reproductive Health at P750 million, Oral Health at P212 million, and Nutrition at P176 million.

In support for health workers, the DBM has set aside P18 billion for the National Health Workforce Support System “for health workers in remote, depressed areas.”

Likewise, P20 billion will be earmarked for the health emergency allowance and COVID-19 compensation package for both eligible healthcare and non-healthcare workers.

The DBM added that hunger and nutrition issues, especially among the young, will be addressed through the Philippine Multi-Sectoral Nutrition Project, a collaboration between the Department of Health and the Department of Social Welfare and Development with a funding of P2.8 billion.

The project will consist of a comprehensive package of nutrition interventions to reduce stunting in 235 municipalities.

For the School-Based Feeding Program, P11.7 billion will be allocated under the proposed budget to provide hot meals and other food products for 220 days, and milk for 55 days, to malnourished students from Kinder to Grade 6.

Another P4.1 billion will fund the Supplementary Feeding Program which will provide supplementary hot meals to two million children enrolled in LGU-managed child development centers and supervised neighborhood play groups.

The said program aims to ensure the essential nourishment of children in their critical, early years.

For the Food Strategic Transfer and Alternative Measures Program (STAMP), the DBM has set aside P1.9 billion for its pilot run and implementation.

The project aims to mitigate hunger and nutrition among financially challenged families with the provision of digital cards to buy food for 50,000 of the most food-poor households.

"Let me remind everyone that every peso in the P5.768 trillion FY 2024 national budget was optimized so we can remain on track with our Agenda for Prosperity. It is the administration's fervent hope that this budget will continue to lay the groundwork for future-proofing the economy and making the country's growth inclusive and sustainable, not just for the Filipinos today, but also  the future generations," said Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman.

In his Budget Message, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. emphasized his administration’s efforts to provide free healthcare to the public.

“By eliminating barriers to healthcare, such as financial constraints or discrimination, we can ensure that essential medical care will be accessible to all,” said the President. —KG, GMA Integrated News