House panel OKs supplemental budget for COVID-19 despite DBM refusal

MANILA - The House Appropriations Committee approved on Tuesday a P1.6 billion supplemental budget for the Department of Health to cover the government's needs to address the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak.

Despite being told that the executive won't certify the supplemental budget as urgent, the House Appropriations Committee approves 1.6B supplemental budget for DOH for COVID 19 response

— RG Cruz (@R_G_Cruz888) March 10, 2020

The approval came after the consolidation of House Bills 6166 and 6177 that each proposed a P2 billion supplemental budget. The Bureau of Treasury, however, certified only P1.6 billion is available as of March 10.

Congress is not allowed to pass a budget without certification of available funds.

Assuring lawmakers that government is prepared for COVID-19, Health Secretary Francisco Duque said there is still no community transmission in the country as some of the existing cases are only local transmission.

The health department said it needs P2.35 billion for personal protective equipment (PPE), P933 million for the Bureau of Quarantine, and P139 million for 40,000 testing sets for the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine, for a total of more than P3 billion.

House Appropriations Committee now tackling 2 bills for a supplemental budget for COVID 19 response. DOH seeking 3.1B to cover PPE, Quarantine, RITM. DOH says it can source 2B from Pagcor, DOH savings of 539M, PCSO 420M, and DOH QRF of 81M for a grand total of 4.6B available

— RG Cruz (@R_G_Cruz888) March 10, 2020

Health Undersecretary Roger Tong-an told the committee though that the agency can already source its requirements from PAGCOR, the DOH Savings, PCSO, and Quick Response Fund, which could total to P4.6 billion.

Duque explained that the PPE costs P1,500 per set, for 5,000 workers working 90 days at 3 shifts each.

DOH Sec. Duque says one set of personal protective equipment is worth P1500, for 5000 workers for 90 days working 3 shifts.

— RG Cruz (@R_G_Cruz888) March 10, 2020

Bayan Muna Rep. Ferdinand Gaite asked his colleagues if the P56 billion contingent fund from the 2020 budget could be utilized instead.

Rep. Cua moves to approve 1.6B valid till fully spent. Rep Gaite points out there is a 56B contingent fund, why not spend that instead?

— RG Cruz (@R_G_Cruz888) March 10, 2020

Health Committee Chair Helen Tan reported though that Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado informed her during the inter-agency task force meeting Monday night that a supplemental budget is not needed, citing the fund sources mentioned by DOH.

Health Committee Chair Helen Tan says based on the discussions in the inter agency task force meeting last night, the DBM and the Executive told her such a supplemental budget may not be certified urgent. DBM Sec. Avisado was firm that no, it won't be certified urgent

— RG Cruz (@R_G_Cruz888) March 10, 2020

If ever, a supplemental budget may be considered in May, if needed, based on their assessment, Tan said.

She explained she wanted the budget certified as urgent so it can be approved on 2nd and 3rd reading the same day. But that was declined.

The Committee approved to consolidate the 2 House bills authored by Tan and Rep. Joey Salceda for a supplemental budget worth P1.6 billion, and authorizing it to be valid until fully spent.

It was the first hearing of new appropriations committee chair, Eric Yap.