By Daniel Manalastas
The Department of Health (DOH) confirmed that the source of funding for the special risk allowance (SRA) payouts has been identified in the amount of ₱311 million.
In a House committee hearing on Tuesday (Aug. 24), the Health department said the distribution for the SRA may start on Wednesday (Aug. 25) following the looming resignation en masse of healthcare workers due to the delay in the release of their SRA.
“Hopefully by tomorrow, we can start implementing this. For our continuation of our contract of HCWs from Sept to December, that will require a funding of about ₱3.6-billion,” Health Sec. Francisco Duque III said.
In relation to this, Senate Committee on Health Chairperson Senator Christopher “Bong” Go called for the fast-track distribution of the SRA.
“I think mare-release na po ‘yung ₱311 million para doon sa SRA at kung may mga kulang pa, inatasan na po ni Pangulong Rodrigo Roa Duterte ang DBM [Department of Budget and Management], ‘yung executive department na maglaan ng pondo, i-release agad ‘yung pondo. Huwag nang tagalan.”
Meanwhile, as the House Committee on Health tackled PhilHealth Circular No. 2021-0013 that can authorize the suspension of payment claims of hospitals, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) President Atty. Dante Gierran assured that health care providers will be treated with respect and due process in the implementation of this directive.
However, House lawmakers urged PhilHealth to review and suspend this circular. The organization responded that it is open for recommendations from various hospitals. –rir
