DBM: P6.4B for health workers’ benefits returned to treasury

By Billy Begas

Some P6.4 billion funds for the allowances and other benefits of the health care workers were reverted to the national treasury.

In Friday’s hearing of the House Committee on Public Accounts, Marikina Rep. Stella Luz Quimbo asked how much fund remains under the Bayanihan 2 for the allowances and benefits of health care workers catering COVID-19 patients.

DBM officer-in-charge Tina Rose Canda said no amount was left because the money was already reverted to the national treasury. Bayanihan 2 expired last June 30, 2021.

The budget for the Bayanihan 2 was taken from the savings under the 2019 and 2020 national budgets.

“At the expiration, it was P6.4 billion. Lahat-lahat at the expiration, ang hindi nila nagamit is P6.4 billion,” Canda said.

Quimbo asked if the amount could still be utilized for the allowances.

“Pwede pa bang kunin ang P6.4 billion at ibayad sa hindi nakatanggap kahit piso na health care workers?” asked Quimbo.

Canda said two things can be done to utilized the fund—a specific law from Congress and second is for DOH to generate the needed amount.

“Your opinion is Bayanihan 3 is needed or that kind of a law an authorization from Congress,” said Quimbo who received an affirmative reply from Canda.

The post DBM: P6.4B for health workers’ benefits returned to treasury first appeared on .

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