More than 400,000 healthcare workers have already received their respective “One Covid-19 allowance (OCA),” an official of the Department of Health (DOH) said.
A total of 526,727 healthcare workers are eligible to receive the OCA, said DOH Undersecretary Leopoldo Vega in a radio interview on Sunday, June 19.
“Ang nakatanggap na nito ay nasa 400,000 plus na (Those who have received it are now more than 400,000),” he said.
Vega said that they are currently coordinating with Private Hospitals Association Philippines, Inc. (PHAPi) President Dr. Jose de Grano to provide them a list of hospitals whose medical workers have yet to receive their OCA.
“Napag-usapan namin kahapon kung puwede ibigay ni President Rene de Grano yung mga hospitals na hindi pa nakatatanggap para ma-coordinate at mabigyan ng tugon (We discussed yesterday if President Rene de Grano can provide a list of hospitals that have yet to receive so it can be coordinated and be able to address this),” he said.
“Okay naman, sabi niya ibibigay niya. Para makita namin kasi ang daming private hospitals and local government unit hospitals sa buong Pilipinas. So, kailangan talaga namin matukoy kung saan iyon (He said that he would provide so that we can locate them. There are several private and local government unit hospitals throughout the Philippines. So, we really need to determine these hospitals),” he added.
Vega assured the health workers that there is enough funds for the provision of their allowance. “May pondo pa. Sapat iyon (We still have funds. It is sufficient),” he said.
Health workers were also assured of receiving their Covid-19 allowances even if there will be a change in administration. “Sigurado iyon, makakatanggap po sila (That's for sure, they will be able to receive it),” he said.
DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire also reminded hospitals to complete the necessary documents for the immediate release of OCA of their health workers.
“Mayroon lamang po kasing mga iba’t ibang requirements na kailangan nating matupad. More specifically na diyan iyong niri-require natin na (There are only various requirements that they need to accomplish. More specifically, we require a) memorandum of agreement with our private hospitals,” said Vergeire in a recent public briefing. -
“So, kailangan po ito ay maisaayos, maisumite nang maayos, makumpleto ang ibang requirements (they need to complete the requirements) so that we can be able to release completely these incentives and allowances to our health care workers,” she added.
Under OCA, the amount shall vary according to risk exposure of the health workers and non-health care workers in particular settings: P3,000 for low risk, P6,000 for medium risk, and P9,000 for high risk.