DBM OKs P2.8 B for new hospitals

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Budget and Management has authorized the release of P2.8 billion to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for the construction and repair of government hospitals nationwide.

The fund is part of the implementation of the Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP) under the Department of Health.

The allocation, according to Budget Secretary Florencio Abad, intends to boost the country’s public health care system and the amount was included in the DPWH budget in the 2013 General Appropriations Act.

“The comprehensive improvements we’re making across all public health facilities are part of the government’s commitment to provide quality health care services to all Filipinos,” he said in a statement. This also forms part of the country’s target to “meet” Millennium Development Goals for public health by 2015.

“With the construction, development, and rehabilitation of hospitals and rural health centers, we can also help families gain greater access to quality health care and emergency services from all points in the country,” Abad said.

The HFEP seeks to upgrade the infrastructure and equipment of government health facilities across the country, targeting a total of 512 regional health units (RHUs), 363 barangay health stations (BHSs), 147 district hospitals and 20 provincial hospitals.

Activities under the program include the preparation of architectural and engineering designs, as well as the construction, repair, and upgrade of these hospitals and health centers nationwide.

The program also aims to upgrade priority BHSs and RHUs to provide basic and comprehensive emergency obstetric and newborn care services for the reduction of maternal mortality.

This is in addition to upgrading BHSs and RHUs to enable them to accommodate nursing students and provide hospital-grade services, thus decongesting major government hospitals.

“The benefits of this fund release are two-fold: we can now respond better to the urgent health care needs of Filipinos across the country, all while pushing for the development of critical infrastructure,” the DBM chief said.

“We’re optimistic that this approach to public expenditure - where social services and economy-driving activities are given ample budgetary support - will help bring inclusive growth to the country, where the administration’s brand of good governance will create real and direct benefits for all Filipinos,” With Zinnia dela Peña