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DOH seeks P2-B coronavirus fund as medical supplies deplete globally

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ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2020/news/03/04/20200205-ncov-ospital-ng-paranaque-jc-4880.jpg"/><figcaption>The Ospital ng Paranaque sets up a coronavirus disease holding area on February 05, 2020. <em>Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA - The Department of Health is seeking some P2 billion funds in preventing the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) as medical supplies are rapidly depleting globally, its chief said Wednesday.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/overseas/03/04/20/who-warns-of-global-shortage-of-medical-equipment-to-fight-coronavirus">WHO warns of global shortage of medical equipment to fight coronavirus</a></li></ul><p>President Rodrigo Duterte has given his consent for the proposed supplemental budget but it still needs the approval of Congress, Health Secretary Francisco Duque said. </p><p>At least 2 lawmakers have filed measures for an additional P2 billion budget for the DOH.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/03/03/20/who-wants-ph-to-prepare-contingencies-as-covid-19-spread-can-happen-in-any-city">WHO wants PH to prepare contingencies as COVID-19 spread can happen in any city</a></li></ul><p>The agency, in the meantime, can use some P530 million allotted for medical equipment by the Department of Budget and Management, Duque added.</p><p>&quot;Nagkakaroon ng worldwide shortage, syempre inuuna nila (supplier) ngayon kung saan may local transmission,&quot; he told radio DZMM.</p><p>(There&#x27;s a shortage worldwide, of course they are prioritizing those that have local transmission of the virus.)</p><p>&quot;Pero sabi ko kailangan araw-arawan pukpukin natin ang supplier. Kailangan ang demand natin mapagbigyan.&quot;</p><p>(But I said we need to follow up to the suppliers everyday. Our demands have to be met.)</p><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IqlNcmBVphM?enablejsapi=1" width="560"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div><p>The agency is waiting for the delivery of some P95 million worth of personal protective equipment for its health workers, Duque said.</p><p>&quot;This is the time to do all massive preparation dahil wala pang mga pasyente (because there are no patients yet),&quot; he said.</p><p>The country has so far recorded 3 cases of the virus, all of whom were travelers from Wuhan, China, where the outbreak originated. Of this figure, 2 have recovered and returned to their nation, while 1 died.</p><p>The Philippines has yet to report a local transmission of the virus, which Duque attributed to the country&#x27;s early response.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/01/05/20/doh-orders-tighter-screening-of-travelers-amid-mysterious-disease-from-china">DOH orders tighter screening of travelers amid &#x27;mysterious disease&#x27; from China</a></li></ul>

<p>The Department of Health is seeking some P2 billion funds in preventing the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) as medical supplies are rapidly depleting globally, its chief said Wednesday.</p>

The Department of Health is seeking some P2 billion funds in preventing the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) as medical supplies are rapidly depleting globally, its chief said Wednesday.