MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has approved the release of P454 million for the procurement of medical vehicles to boost the health care system.
Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman approved the authority to purchase motor vehicles (APMV) for the procurement of 173 vehicles worth P454 million for the Department of Health (DOH).
The APMV covers the second batch of the medical vehicle procurement program of the DOH.
To be procured are 161 and four units of land and air ambulances, respectively, as well as four passenger vans, two mobile clinics and one each of patient transport and blood donation van.
In June this year, the DBM issued a similar APMV covering the first batch of the vehicle procurement program involving 141 vehicles.
Funds for the procurement will be sourced from the DOH’s health facility enhancement program under this year’s General Appropriations Act.
The program aims to address health care delivery gaps and make the country’s health facilities and services more accessible.
“This will augment the ongoing structural enhancements of our health care system,” Pangandaman said.
Motor vehicles to be acquired are limited to those deemed necessary and appropriate for officials authorized to use office vehicles or for the performance of functions requiring transport mobility.
Aside from government agencies like the DOH, APMVs are also issued to state universities and colleges, state-owned corporations and local government units.