The Department of Budget and Management, or DBM, said the planned national budget for next year would include funds worth almost P50 billion to improve regional hospitals and other healthcare facilities.

In a statement on Monday, DBM said the Department of Health, or DoH, would get about P49.75 billion to pay for hospital units under the 2024 National Expenditure Program to improve the services of basic healthcare facilities.

The amount planned to be given to DoH's hospitals and health facilities was P1.31 billion more than the P48.44 billion allocated in the 2023 General Appropriations Act, or GAA.

The DBM attributed the increase to adjustments made in the normative financing of DoH hospitals, including funds needed for expanding specialty centers.

Budget divided to 68 hospitals

Such suggested budget amount would be divided among 68 hospitals in different regions, such as the National Capital Region, Regions I through X, and Regions XI through XIII, the DBM said.

Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said the allocation is a tangible representation of the government's commitment to augmenting the capabilities of our primary healthcare facilities, securing the well-being of Filipino families and warding off potential future health crises.

"The allocation is part of government's efforts to strengthen primary healthcare facilities in the country, ensure the health of Filipino families, and to avoid another health crisis," Pangandaman said.