The Department of Health (DOH) assured health workers that they will receive their Covid-19 benefits in the coming days.
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) already released the necessary funds for the health workers’ Special Risk Allowance (SRA) and Health Emergency Allowance (HEA).
The DBM released P11.5 billion on Wednesday, Oct. 5, for the unpaid HEA (also known as the One Covid-19 Allowance) of 1,617,660 health workers, covering the period January 2022 to June 2022.
Meanwhile, the DBM released P1.04 billion for the payment of SRA of 55,211 health workers for the period of September 2020 to June 2021.
“The DOH will exhaust all efforts to expedite the process of transferring these funds to our implementing units and facilities for the immediate release to all eligible health workers,” the Health agency said in a statement on Oct. 5.
“Currently, the Department is preparing the sub-allotment guidelines and has simultaneously informed regional counterparts at the Centers for Health Development (CHDs) to prepare the necessary paperwork and documents for an expedited and quick disbursement of the released funds,” it added.
DOH Officer-in-Charge Maria Rosario Vergeire acknowledged the service of the country’s health workers.
“Our healthcare workers are the backbone of our healthcare system, and it is incumbent upon us to ensure that they are protected through fair compensation and benefits,” she said in a statement.
“We thank the DBM for releasing these funds, and we pledge to expend all our efforts to compensate our dear healthcare workers for their unwavering service to every Juan and Juana during this pandemic,” she added.