The Department of Health (DOH) reported that as of Sept 3, 2021, P14.3 billion worth of benefits for healthcare workers has been disbursed covering the period of Sept. 15 to Dec. 19, 2020 (Period 1) and Dec. 20, 2020, to June 30, 2021 (Period 2).
For Period 1, P6.4 billion was disbursed, representing active hazard duty pay for 384,159 healthcare workers and special risk allowance (SRA) for 306,314 healthcare workers. For the meals, accommodation, and transportation (MAT) allowances, 103,096 healthcare workers received MAT worth P990.9 million.
Additionally, for Period 2, P6.9 billion worth of SRA was disbursed for SRAs of 379,117 healthcare workers. Further, 32,281 healthcare workers were covered with life insurance worth P16 million.
The DOH also reported that P 570 million worth of checks has also been released to 24,034 healthcare workers as COVID-19 sickness and death compensation.
Healthcare workers from both public and private health facilities catering to COVID-19 patients are beneficiaries of these benefits. As stated in the guidelines, the DOH through its Centers for Health Development (CHD) enters into a Memorandum of Understanding with health facilities to legally disburse these benefits. The health facilities are then responsible for disbursing these to the employees and submitting a liquidation report thereafter.
“Maliwanag sa amin ang sakripisyo ng mga medical frontliners. Within the DOH family includes 72 hospitals with more than ten thousand medical frontliners. They, like many others, put their lives at-risk every day in order to serve patients from all over the country and from all walks of life. Kaya sinisiguro namin na maibigay ang benepisyo sa pinakamaagang panahon, at ipaglalaban talaga namin ang budget para sa patuloy na pagkakaroon nitong mga benepisyo sa susunod na taon.” Secretary Francisco T. Duque III said. (DOH) – bny
