SEN. Bong Go called on the government to realign its budget priorities toward health services, noting that the budget for infrastructure is almost triple that of health programs.
Go made the comment amid allegations of corruption against the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) over substandard projects and flood control scams.
Speaking during Tuesday’s Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing chaired by Sen. Rodante Marcoleta, Go, who heads the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, stressed the urgent need to invest in health care infrastructure, medical assistance programs and PhilHealth benefits, especially as hospitals like the Philippine General Hospital remain vulnerable to flooding.
”I hope we allocate the funds to benefit the people, especially for health,” he said.
Go urged the DPWH to follow a clear master plan that prioritizes flood-prone, populated areas. He also emphasized the need for transparency, proper planning and a more effective use of public funds.
”Flood control should be implemented in areas that are frequently flooded,” he said.
The senator also linked the recent surge in leptospirosis cases — 3,752 recorded by the Department of Health from June 8 to Aug. 14 — to widespread flooding, calling for swift action to avoid further health crises.
”Let’s not wait until more people die from diseases that could have been prevented with quicker government response,” he added.