P600-million budget proposed for Cebu health office

Local

PROVINCIAL officials revealed that Cebu Province is suffering from inconsistent vaccine deliveries as it prepares its 2026 health spending plan.

They confirmed erratic shipments from the Department of Health (DOH) have forced the Provincial Health Office (PHO) to cover rising costs for medicines and vaccines.

During budget hearings, the PHO proposed increasing its drugs and medicines allocation from P81 million in previous years to P319 million for 2026.

Budget Officer Danny Rodas noted that the PHO’s initial proposal reached P600 million for medicines.

“Sa among provincial health board meeting, akong gi confront ang DOH, akong giingnan nga ‘unsa man gibiyaan man mi ninyo oy," Rodas said.

Dr. Mary Ann Josephine Arsenal, Officer-in-Charge of the PHO, reported that the total proposed 2026 budget stands at P1,221,217,107, with P116.1 million allocated for Personal Services and P1.105 billion for Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE), which includes the increased allocation for drugs and medicines.

She said the increase was necessary because the DOH “does not regularly give us our commodities,” leaving the province responsible for vaccines used in health caravans, dental clinics, hospital backup support, and anti-rabies programs.

PHO officials said the province now procures vaccines that are typically supplied by the national government, adding logistical and financial burdens to local health operations.

Public Health Consultant Dr. Nikki Catalan noted that the proposed P600 million, if approved, would be divided among 16 provincial hospitals over 12 months, giving each hospital about P1.6 million monthly for zero-balance billing.

Catalan also urged the province to regularize job order workers, citing the need to provide better benefits and stability to frontline health staff.

“Moving them up to a regular position is one of the things we are working on,” she said.

Board Member Lakambini Reluya urged the province to review portions of the tourism budget to increase funding for health services, citing Cebu’s role in “health tourism.”

Committee on Health chair Stanley Caminero emphasized strengthening municipal health offices, including accredited dog bite centers, to reduce reliance on provincial anti-rabies stocks.

Under the PHO proposal, the province will give each local government unit P1 million for health emergencies and contingencies, and district hospitals will receive the same.

The province will allocate P5 million to each provincial hospital and P2 million to each island hospital as part of the P319-million drug procurement plan.

The plan also includes P48 million for medical and dental laboratory supplies, P20 million for environmental and sanitary services, P10 million for Sugbo Segurado insurance assistance, and P75 million for nutrition programs.

Arsenal reported that the province has hired 78 doctors and completed 75 percent of recruitment for 223 nurses, leaving 20 positions still vacant.

Board Member Celestino “Tining” Martinez III stressed that the province must provide sufficient budget allocations to address long-standing gaps in public health services.

Catalan also highlighted progress in hospital upgrades, reporting that DOH-RLED is assessing Minglanilla, Sogod, Malabuyoc, and Argao for conversion from infirmaries to Level I hospitals.(MyTVCebu)