DBM: Health facilities enhancement gets P28.58B funding under 2024 budget

The government’s Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP) received higher funding under the 2024 General Appropriations Act (GAA), the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said Wednesday.

In a statement, the DBM said the HFEP’s budget allocation was increased to P28.58 billion this year from P26.81 billion in 2023.

Year-on-year, the amount is higher by 6.6% compared to last year.

The Budget Department said the HFEP’s budget shall be used for the construction, upgrading, or expansion of government healthcare facilities nationwide.

The funding will also allow the purchase of hospital equipment and medical transport vehicles, it added.

The DBM said the HFEP will prioritize Universal Health Care (UHC) sites and Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAS), along with upgrading essential facilities for robust response measures to COVID-19 and other future public health emergencies that may arise, equipping, and facilitating ongoing project construction.

“Patunay lang po ‘yan na talagang seryoso po ang ating gobyerno na pagbutihin ang health services sa bansa (This is a testament that the government is really serious in improving health services in the country). As the President said in his last SONA, we are increasing our public health facilities both in number and in capability. And so, we will ensure that this program will get a much-needed support,” said Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman.

The continuous support for the program, implemented by the Department of Health, is part of the President’s vision of a “Bagong Pilipinas,” where Filipinos have access to quality primary health care in adequately manned centers throughout the country, according to Pangandaman. — Ted Cordero/RSJ GMA Integrated News