P9-billion special risk allowance for health workers distributed to DOH regional offices, hospitals---Vergeire

The P9 billion special risk allowance (SRA) for healthcare workers has already been distributed to the regional offices of the Department of Health (DOH), the agency’s spokesperson said on Tuesday, June 29.
“Iyong perang binigay sa atin ng DBM (Department of Budget and Management), ibinaba na po natin sa ating mga regional offices at saka mga ospital agad- agad (The fund given to us by the DBM, we have distributed it to our regional offices and hospitals immediately). This is for SRA and the hazard pay of all of those eligible healthcare workers,” said Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire during an online forum on Tuesday, June 29.
In a statement on June 28, the DBM said that the fund “covers the payment of the SRA not exceeding P5,000.00 per month from December 20, 2020 to June 30, 2021.”
“With the funds now made available to the DOH, qualified public and private health workers can expect the payment of the SRA not later than June 30, 2021,” it added.
Meanwhile, Vergeire said that they are still coordinating with the DBM with regards to the monetization of accomodation, transportation, and food allowance of healthcare workers.
“Tayo po ngayon ay nakikipag- usap sa DBM para po tayo makahanap pa ng pondo para maibigay ang monetization na accorded sa ating healthcare workers (We are now in talks with the DBM so that we can find more funds to provide the monetization accorded to our healthcare workers),” she said.
“We assure all our healthcare workers that the Department of Health will continuously lobby for your welfare,” she added.