Drilon: ‘P72.5B budget for Covid-19 vaccines like an unfunded check’

Senate Minority Leader Frank Drilon likened the P72.5 billion earmarked for the purchase of Covid-19 vaccines to an “unfunded check” as he reiterated his concerns about the lack of a definite source of funds to immunize around 60 million Filipinos next year.

Drilon said there is uncertainty about how the government can raise at least P70 billion next year for the procurement of Covid-19 vaccine as only P2.5 billion would be guaranteed under the 2021 spending outlay.

There is a global race to buy the vaccine, he noted.

The Congress is set to submit to the President the proposed 2021 P4.5 trillion General Appropriations Act. However, only P2.5 billion, out of the P72.5 billion, is funded. The remaining P70 billion is in the unprogrammed fund – the funding for which depends on approved loans or once the government exceeds its non-tax revenues targets, Drilon stressed.

“It is unfortunate that in these uncertain times, the budget is creating additional uncertainty. This makes Filipinos wary about the future,” Drilon said.

Drilon reiterated his concerns that there is no definite source of revenue to fund the P70 billion in the unprogrammed fund for the purchase of the vaccine.

“It is like we issue a check without adequate funding. Sana po hindi mag-bounce,” Drilon quipped.

“Our health system unfortunately at this stage is a big question mark to me because of the very fluid plans for the acquisition, funding of the vaccine and the logistical expense that goes with it. No definite revenue source is identified, ” Drilon said during a Senate session.

“The comfort level is not very high that we can achieve a certain degree of confidence insofar as our public health is concerned. I guess we just have to look up at the sky and pray,” he added.

The post Drilon: ‘P72.5B budget for Covid-19 vaccines like an unfunded check’ first appeared on https://politics.com.ph.

Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)