THE Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said it has released P6.3 billion worth of funding from the P16-billion Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP) since July.
The DBM said it released the funds in July and August to the Department of Health to support upgrades to health facilities up to barangay level.
“Through the HFEP, health facilities and hospitals will be upgraded and provided with appropriate medical equipment and enhanced infrastructure, leading to high-quality and accessible health care delivery,” the DBM said.
The DBM said it funded the purchases of 251 ambulances, among other items.
Other major budget items in 2019 include P4 billion to staff the upgraded health system.
Former Senator Loren B. Legarda earlier this year singled out HFEP as among the key programs with low disbursement rates.
She said between 2008 and 2018 the program had total appropriations worth P180 billion but had disbursed only 11% as of June 30, 2018. — Beatrice M. Laforga
