The Department of Health (DOH) on Monday, Oct. 4, said that funds amounting to P15.3 billion has been disbursed for the benefits of healthcare workers amid the ongoing pandemic.
“Sa kabuuan, tayo ay nakapamahagi na ng P15.3 billion para sa benepisyo ng mga healthcare workers (In total, we have already distributed P15.3 billion for the benefit of healthcare workers),” Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said in a recorded public briefing.
“Kasama rito ang (This includes) sickness and death compensation na ipinamamahagi sa mga apektadong (distributed to affected) healthcare workers habang tayo ay nasa (while we were under a) state of public health emergency,” he added.
Special risk allowance
Duque said P662.20 million has already been downloaded to health facilities for the special risk allowance (SRA) of healthcare workers, while P536.74 million has been distributed to health workers.
The Health department is coordinating with local governments across the country to complete the distribution of SRAs amounting to P1.33 billion to healthcare workers.
“Patuloy ang ating pakikipagtulungan sa mga local na pamahalaan at mga ospital upang makomplete nating ang pagbaba ng P1.33 billion sa mga health care workers sa lalong madaling panahon (We continue to work with local governments and hospitals to complete the disbursement of P1.33 billion to healthcare workers as soon as possible),” Duque said.
Likewise, the Health chief called for additional funds in order to provide allowances to more health workers amidst the ongoing health crisis.
“Kami ay humihingi ng karagdagang pondo para madagdagan ang mga health workers na mabibigyan ng special risk allowance na mapapasailalim sa Batch 5 (We are seeking additional funding to increase the number of health workers who will be given special risk allowance under Batch 5),” he said.