Slashing funds of the people’s Health Care on Philippines 2020 Budget

Public health is the science of protecting and improving the health of people and their
communities. This work is achieved by promoting healthy lifestyles, researching disease and
injury prevention, and detecting, preventing and responding to infectious diseases. Despite the
reemergence of polio and dengue and measles outbreak in the country, the budget for the
Department of Health was slashed by P16.6 billion and was interpreted by Senator Risa
Hontiveros as an “attack on public health.”

Earlier this year, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte today signed into the law the Fiscal Year 2020
General Appropriations Act (GAA), which is Php 4.1 trillion for the operations of the national
government. Carrying the theme “Continuing the journey to a more peaceful and progressive
Philippines”. With that concept in mind do you think that the budget was fairly allocated to each
of the department in our country?

Is it really justifiable to left out the budget for our public health and made a cut for its budget?
Specially his comes at a time when a slew of epidemics have sprouted across the country,
starting with measles, dengue, and most recently polio – last seen in the Philippines nearly two
decades ago. In addition to that with the budget cut for the DOH is our country really ready for
the impending threats of the COVID-19 that might easily spread out and affect the lives of our
people. With no proper equipment and facilities to counteract this type of virus.

Do you think that our country will be able achieve its goal not only for the country but also for its
people? What are your thoughts about it?
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