Php 100M for Philippine General Hospital

President Macapagal-Arroyo ordered the a P100 million budget for the modernization of Philippine General Hospital (PGH). Half of the amount (P50 million) will be from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) and the other half from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. or PAGCOR.

PGH will start receiving P50 million annually from PAGCOR next year until Arroyo's term ends (on the year 2010).

The funds are being released for the hospital’s centennial anniversary which is celebrated this month. PGH was given P100 million last year for its rehabilitation program. The amount was used to acquire more medical equipment, expand hospital rooms and put up more mobile health vans.

Similar funds will also be provided to other public hospitals. Aside from modernizing public hospitals, government is also augmenting the PhilHealth insurance coverage targeting about four million indigents this year, and pushing for the passage of the cheaper medicines bill.

This is good news especially that the budget for health has been neglected these past years, allotting more on the Philippine Army. At least, it is an improvement.