A group of healthcare workers have urged the government to cut back on infrastructure spending in the 2022 budget and instead focus more on using its funds for hiring 14,000 permanent health care workers in public hospitals and prioritizing the government's coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) response.

According to the Alliance of Health Workers, the proposed P242 billion budget of the Department of Health (DoH) is deceptive and exemplifies the government's 'blatant disregard for the health workers' safety, protection and well-being'.