At least P396 billion in questionable lump sums in the Department of Public Works and Highways’ proposed budget for 2021 could be put to better use if they were used to fund the universal health care program instead, Sen. Panfilo Lacson said Sunday.
Lacson said the government is way behind schedule in implementing the Universal Health Care Act, which was signed into law in February 2019.
“Pwede,” he said in an interview on DZBB and GMA News TV, when asked if the lump sums could be used to fund the budget shortage of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp (PhilHealth), which will implement the Universal Health Care Act.
Lacson noted the DPWH has the second biggest allocation in the National Expenditure Program at P667 billion, but this includes some P396.4 billion in lump sum appropriations parked in the DPWH Central Office.
He also noted some P135.8 billion in re-appropriations for 5,913 projects. This combined with the lump sums would amount to P532.3 billion.
“Hindi pupuwede yan. Ilan yan, malaki yan, P135B yan, halos mauubos yan, kasi ang budget niya P666B pagkatapos ang P532B questionable,” he said.
In pushing for funding for UHC, Lacson said the law requires at least P241 billion to cover select barangays including those in fourth- to sixth-class towns; and P257 billion to cover all barangays. Meanwhile, PhilHealth’s proposed budget for 2021 stands only at P71 billion.
“So talagang delayed na delayed ang implementation ng UHC. Tinamaan pa tayo ng pandemya,” Lacson said.
Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)
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