Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go today reminded the Department of Health (DOH) to provide coronavirus disease (COVID-19) hazard pay, other allowances and benefits to health workers on time and in accordance with the law.
As chairman of the Senate health and demography committee, Go said he would push for the provision of additional benefits and allowances to frontliners in accordance with the law ‘’especially now that we’re in a health crisis.’’
“Noong mga nakaraang buwan, nanawagan ako sa gobyerno na magbigay ng COVID-19 hazard pay sa ating mga public health workers,’’ he said. (Last month, I called on the government to provide COVID-19 hazard pay to our public health workers.)
‘’In response, the government issued Administrative Order (AO) 26, providing for the guidelines and rates, among others, for the grant of the COVID-19 hazard pay for public health workers who are required to work during the ECQ,” he added.
Go said that it has recently come to his attention that the surviving family of a certain deceased public health worker has been asking about the right amount of hazard pay their late mother should have received.
“I have immediately brought the matter to the attention of DOH, to which they immediately responded. I am, therefore, urging DOH to make the necessary clarification with the family and explain to the public the policies being implemented,” he explained.
“Sa muli, lubos ang aking pasasalamat sa ating mga frontliners na patuloy na nakikipaglaban sa pandemya at nagsasakripisyo ng buhay masiguro lang ang kaligtasan ng ating mga kababayan. Asahan ninyo na patuloy akong nakikinig sa inyong mga hinaing bilang tulay ninyo kay Pangulong Duterte,’’ he added. (Again, my heartfelt gratitude to our frontliners who continue to fight the pandemic and sacrifice their lives to ensure the safety of our countrymen. Rest assured that I, as your bridge to President Duterte, will continue to listen to your concerns.)