The Department of Health (DOH) said it is currently working to provide special risk allowance (SRA) to more healthcare workers.
The DOH said that the P311 million released by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) on Wednesday, Aug. 25, will be given to 20,208 healthcare workers.
The fund has now been downloaded to its Centers for Health Development (CHDs) and will then be released to the different local government units (LGUs) and private health facilities in the "next few days," the DOH said.
"Huwag po kayong mag-alala at madadagdagan pa itong bilang ng mga healthcare workers na makakatanggap ng SRA sapagkat kasalukuyan tayong nakikipag-ugnayan sa iba’t ibang LGU at private hospitals (Don't worry, the number of healthcare workers who will receive SRA will increase as we are currently in coordination with various LGUs and private hospitals)," said Health Undersecretary Leopoldo Vega in a statement on Thursday, Aug. 26.
"Nakikiusap po kami na ang mga ospital at health facilities ay makipagtulungan sa kani-kanilang mga CHD upang makapag-submit ng kanilang mga requirements. Ang ating Centers for Health Development naman ay handa pong gabayan kayo. Magtulungan po tayo dito (We request that hospitals and health facilities--- to coordinate with their respective CHDs to submit their requirements. Our Centers for Health Development are ready to guide you. Let's work together)," he added.
On Aug. 21, President Duterte instructed the DOH and DBM to release the SRA of healthcare workers within 10 days.
The DOH maintained that from the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, "it has supported healthcare workers to receive SRA and it will continue to do so."
"Nonetheless, the DOH recognizes the need to further improve inter-agency coordination and streamline processes among its operating units to ensure efficiency in providing benefits for our frontliners who have worked tirelessly to keep Filipinos safe" it said.
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