Photo Release

Recto notes decrease in DOH budget: Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto notes a decrease in the 2022 proposed budget of the Department of Health (DOH) during the briefing of the Development Budget Coordinating Committee (DBCC) on the proposed P5.024-trillion national budget for next year. “We are not spending enough on health during a pandemic. There seems to be a misplaced priority in that sense. Which department gets the biggest increase next year?” Recto asked the economic managers Wednesday, September 8, 2021. According to Recto, the country’s economic recovery depends on how effectively and quickly the pandemic is addressed. Budget and Management Usec. Tina Rose Marie Canda told Recto the DOH budget was reduced due to: 1.) congressionally introduced changes and 2.) certain items in the budget are considered devolved as a result of the Mandanas ruling and shall be shouldered by the local government units. Recto also raised concerns on the 2022 budget for the vaccination program as well as the benefits of health care workers, among others. The Mandanas ruling specifies that the just share of LGUs, also known as IRA, must be computed based on all national taxes, and not just from the National Internal Revenue Taxes. (Screen grab/Senate PRIB)