Disappointed by the failure of the Senate to pass the P1.16 billion supplemental budget for Dengvaxia-administered children, Sen. Richard Gordon asked the Department of Health (DOH) on Mondayto use its emergency funds to assist more than 800,000 children inoculated with the controversial dengue vaccine. “[The non-passage of the bill] does not mean we’re suspending our assistance to the people,” Gordon said. “The DOH has an emergency fund it can tap temporarily. The House of Representatives passed it on third reading on the strength of President Rodrigo Duterte’s letter certifying it as urgent. “And if they really have dengue, they could immediately be given emergency treatment,” Gordon said.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer June 04, 2018 12:22 UTC