Secretaries of the DOH, DOLE, and DBM have signed an order granting death and sickness benefits to health workers infected by COVID-19 in accordance with the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act.
Based on the Act, a Php 100,000 financial assistance must be given to a health worker infected with COVID-19, and Php 1 million for those who died.
President Rodrigo Duterte has imposed a deadline set on Tuesday to concerned agencies to give the financial aid promised by the government to the said workers.
The DOH said it has contacted 32 families of healthcare workers who died, and is now processing checks and documents needed for the claiming of assistance. The process will take less than two weeks.
Meanwhile, the health department has continued its clinical trial of hydroxychloroquine on COVID-19 patients after the World Health Organization (WHO) lifted its temporary suspension due to its alleged adverse effects.
As of June 4, the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country reached 20,382 after 313 fresh cases and 321 late cases were reported. The recovery tally also increased to 4,248 while the death toll rose to 984.