DOH-Eastern Visayas seeks P1.92-B fund

PALO, Leyte -- The Department of Health (DOH) in Eastern Visayas is seeking a P1.92-billion funding from the National Government next year to deliver health services to poor communities.

In a listing submitted by DOH to the Regional Development Council, the agency said majority of the budget is intended to upgrade health-related poverty reduction initiatives.

In a brief interview, DOH Regional Director Jaime Bernadas said the proposal was submitted to the DOH-Bureau of Local Health Development. Areas where there is a dire need to improve community health centers were identified by the National Anti-Poverty Commission.

“This will address some inadequacies of our barangay health stations and rural health units to come up with requirement of health care provisions and birthing facilities for beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps),” Bernadas told Leyte Samar Daily Express.

Of the P1.9-billion budget, P1.06 billion will be used to support Local Poverty Reduction Plan (LPRAP) of towns and cities, which include the health facility enhancement program, deployment of health workers, and enrollment of poor families to the health insurance program.

In 2013, at least P142 million will finance construction and provide equipment to state-run hospitals, barangay health stations, and rural health units.

Some P580 million was also proposed for priority health-related projects of 55 focus poor municipalities in the region identified in the LPRAP. The funding support will be channeled to DOH for implementation in depressed areas.

Of the P580 million for 55 focus municipalities, P45.12 million is intended for Eastern Samar, P165.27 million for Leyte, P123.62 million for Northern Samar, and P246.55 million in Samar.

Also getting a chunk of the budget is the local health assistance including public health and local health support amounting to P90.87 million. The agency’s capital outlay is P185.73 million. (Leyte Samar Daily Express)