By Ma. Teresa Montemayor / Philippine News Agency
Health Sec. Francisco Duque III on Wednesday (Oct. 20) said P16 billion worth of benefits has been distributed to all healthcare workers.
“Kasama rito ang pinakabagong ulat ng ating pamamahagi ng special risk allowance at COVID-19 sickness and death compensation,” Duque said during President Rodrigo Duterte’s Talk to the People public briefing late Tuesday night.
Compared to Oct. 11 data and monitoring, Duque said the funds downloaded for the special risk allowance of Batch 3 and Batch 4 healthcare workers have slightly increased.
“Ang naipamahagi na nasa humigit-kumulang na 55,000 healthcare workers ay nasa P735 million na po, mula sa huling ulat P617 million,” he said.
“At para naman sa sickness and death compensation, mula sa P604 million, nasa P613 million na ang ating naipamahagi para sa mga healthcare workers na nagkaroon ng mild, moderate, at severe to critical na kaso ng COVID-19,” he added.
The distributed amount also included the benefits of healthcare workers who died from COVID-19.
To continue helping healthcare workers, Duque said the Department of Health is seeking additional funds for their benefits under the proposed 2022 national budget. (PNA) – jlo
