Commentary: Increased DOH budget for expanded immunization project
Tacloban City (August 23) -- President Gloria Macapal Arroyo early this week graced the immunization ceremonies that signals the increase in the Department of Health's budget for its Expanded Immunization Project from P455 million this year to P485 million next year.
This increase will allow a greater number of mothers and their children aged two to five years, greater access to immunization from BCG for childhood tuberculosis to Oral Polio Vaccine, DPT (Diptheria, Petusis and Tetanus), measles and Hepatitis B.
Even as the President personally administered polio immunization vaccine drops (patak) to four babies aged six to 18 months to show her support for the DOH immunization project, she called on all Filipinos, particularly the health workers to join efforts to provide medicine and immunization to each and every citizen "so that we will all become healthy."
Quoting the famous tagline of the Department of Health invoking the call to immediate action, the President said that equivalent to a sack of medication and a penny worth of prevention is the DOH complete immunization, DOH it now.
Earlier, the President distributed Certificates to Operate Tindahan Natin convenience stores, 100 PGMA Training for Work Scholarships, and 208 PhilHealth cards to each of the Quezon City barangays she visited through their respective chairmen.
The President has been visiting barangays around Metro Manila to stress the positive effects of strengthening the economy and to bring to the people its benefits.
During her visits, she sees to it that various government agencies are included. This is part of an integral move in the government's People's Government Mobile Action (PGMA) program which aims to bring basic services closer and to more people. (PIA 8) [top]
