TAGBILARAN CITY, Philippines – The poor state of health among local government units in Bohol province can be attributed to the very low allocation in their respective annual for public health programs coupled with a lack of political will in their leaders.
This unhealthy landscape was contained in a recent report of the United Technical Working Group, which found that its recommendation for a fund allocation of 20 percent of an LGU’s budget to health and PhilHealth programs for their constituents.
The report said: “More than 50 percent of LGUs are having health budget allocation of less than 10 percent out of the total LGU budget, which obviously is not enough to cover the delivery of basic health services and implementation of health programs.”
The UTWG, formed during the Health Summit last year, said only four towns had earmarked more than 20 percent of their budgets for health.
Except for Tagbilaran City, which allotted over P33 million for health programs, the town with the highest allocation is Dauis with 29 percent of its budget or P14.6 million, Calape (25 percent or P13.4 percent), Baclayon (22 percent or P7.3 million) and Loon (22 percent or P15.6 million).
Following them below are Bien-Unido (18 percent or P6.8 million), San Miguel (18 percent or P7.3 million); Alburquerque (13 percent or P3.5 million); Bilar (12 percent or P4.12 million); Anda (11 percent or P4.14 million); Dagohoy (11 percent or P3.2 million); Jagna (11 percent or P5.5 million); and San Isidro (11 percent or P2.99 million).
Those that have 10 percent allocations are Dimiao (P3.28 million); Duero (P3.73 million); Garcia-Hernandez (P4.04 million); Guindulman (P4.91 million); Lila (P2.23 million); Mabini (P4.14 million); Sikatuna (P2.64 million); Trinidad (P4.85 million); and Ubay (P7.93 million).
All other LGUs in the province have below 10 percent of their annual budget appropriated for health programs.
(FREEMAN)