The Department of Health (DOH) is currently coordinating with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) for the immediate release of the funds allocated for healthcare workers’ benefits.
In his address aired on Aug. 21, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte ordered the DOH and DBM to release the pay of healthcare workers who have not received their benefits.
“I am now ordering, this is an order, Secretary Duque, bayaran mo. Use whatever money there is. Bayaran mo ‘yung hinihingi ng mga nurses, both in government and those outside of government, the volunteers, ‘yung itong mga… Bayaran mo. Kung wala kang pera, gastusin mo lahat ‘yung ano diyan pagka… I’m ordering you to use every money there,” he said.
According to DOH Undersecretary Leopoldo Vega, the Health department has released over ₱8 billion worth of special risk allowance (SRA) as of Aug. 12. It covers more than 400,000 public and private health workers catering to COVID-19 patients.
However, the department admits that an improved inter-agency coordination is needed to hasten the process and ensure that the benefits of the medical frontliners amid the COVID-19 pandemic will be distributed efficiently.
Meanwhile, the DOH ordered on Monday (Aug. 23) all Centers for Health Development (CHDs) and the Ministry of Health (MOH)-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to submit a list of all remaining eligible healthcare workers who are yet to receive their SRA from Dec. 20 to June 30.
“Moreover, the CHDs should also be prepared to enter into a memorandum of agreement with the local government units and private hospitals,” the Department added.
DOH also requested for all CHDs and MOH-BARMM to “conduct media forums regarding the grant of SRA.”
(PTV News)/NGS- jlo
