House okays P1.16-B supplemental budget for Dengvaxia recipients

Under the rules, the House can only vote a measure on third reading after copies of the bill that passed second reading are given to its members at least three days prior to voting. But with the President’s certification, the House can now vote on third reading immediately after the second reading. (Malacanang stock photo)

MANILA — With President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s certification of urgency, the House of Representatives on Tuesday night approved on second and third reading a bill authorizing a supplemental budget of PHP1.161 billion to provide assistance for Dengvaxia recipients.

With 231 affirmative votes, zero negative and no abstention, the lower chamber passed House Bill 7449, or the proposed Supplemental Budget for 2018.

Under the rules, the House can only vote a measure on third reading after copies of the bill that passed second reading are given to its members at least three days prior to voting. But with the President’s certification, the House can now vote on third reading immediately after the second reading.

The supplemental budget will be sourced from the PHP1.16 billion refund given to the Philippine government by Dengvaxia manufacturer Sanofi Pasteur earlier this year.

The supplemental budget, based on the proposal by the Department of Health (DOH), shall fund the following programs or activities:

• PHP945,827,530 for the Medical Assistance Program, which includes assistance for admitted patients in hospitals and for outpatients;
• PHP78,296,250 for the assessment and monitoring of Dengvaxia vaccinees;
• PHP70 million for the supplies and medicine;
• PHP67,586,220 for human resource deployment

The bill mandates the Department of Budget and Management to release the amount to the DOH in accordance with budgeting, accounting and auditing laws, rules and regulations.