By Brian Jules Campued
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has approved the release of an additional P8.005 billion to cover cash requirements of the Department of Health (DOH) for the fulfillment of its key health programs.
In a news release on Tuesday, the DBM said some P2.439 billion would be used for Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially-Incapacitated Patients (MAIP) program, while a total of P5.566 billion would be utilized to hand out the Public Health Emergency Benefits and Allowances (PHEBA) for healthcare and on-healthcare workers.
MAIP is used for the hospitalization and medical support of indigent and financially-incapacitated patients, including but not limited to: inpatient, outpatient, comprehensive check-ups, and emergency services, as well as drugs, medicines, and professional fees, among others.
Apart from indigent individuals, those who cannot pay or spend the necessary expenditures for their medical treatment may receive medical assistance, according to the DBM.
On the other hand, PHEBA covers all benefits for healthcare workers, including health emergency allowance or One COVID-19 Allowance, Special Risk Allowance, COVID-19 Sickness and Death Compensation, and other benefits, such as meals, accommodation, and transportation expenses.
Reiterating the vow of the DBM to support programs that uphold the welfare of Filipinos, Budget Sec. Amenah Pangandaman approved the issuance of the Notice of Cash Allocation on May 3.
“The directive of President Bongbong Marcos has been very clear since day one: priority shall be given to healthcare,” Pangandaman said.
“At kasama po diyan ang pagkalinga sa mga pasyente at mga manggagawa sa healthcare sector,” she added. – av
