Lawmakers endorse P1.1 billion supplemental budget for Dengvaxia kids

MANILA, Philippines — Administration lawmakers have endorsed the proposed P1.1-billion supplemental budget for Dengvaxia-inoculated children.

Lawmakers are also confident that their counterparts in the Senate will approve the measure when Congress resumes session this morning. 

“It is but right to extend assistance to Dengvaxia recipients who were most affected by the effects of the vaccine. I believe this will be approved when we resume our session. I know the Senate did their best,” said Rep. Sherwin Tugna of the Citizens Battle Against Corruption (Cibac) party-list.

Davao City Rep. Karlo Nograles, principal author of the measure and chairman of the House committee on appropriations, is also urging the senators, led by Senate President Vicente Sotto III, to act on approving its version of the proposed measure.

“Every day that passes by is crucial for the families whose children were administered the Dengvaxia vaccine, and our fellow lawmakers in the Senate know this,” he said.

“At this point, there is already a tragic pattern of deaths among children who were part of the inoculation program, and our top priority should be to break this pattern by ensuring that we are able to monitor and prevent deaths that may be tied to the use of the Dengvaxia. Passing this supplemental budget is the best way to achieve this,” he added.

Rep. Winston Castelo of Quezon City, head of the House committee on Metro Manila development, said “the supplemental budget is a very crucial aid to provide medical assistance to around 900,000 children vaccinated with Dengvaxia.”

With 231 votes, the House of Representatives approved on third and final reading the proposed P1.161 billion supplemental budget.