Health workers decry 'unpaid' allowances; urged Marcos admin for an immediate wage hike
Health workers staged a lunch break protest on Tuesday, Dec. 12, to strongly criticize the Marcos administration for the "non-payment" of hard-earned Covid-19 allowances and performance-based bonuses.

Workers from Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center, San Lazaro Hospital, and Fabella Hospital decried the "inaction" of the Department of Health (DOH), the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), and the administration of President Marcos Jr. on their demands.
In a released statement, the protesters under the banner of the Alliance of Health Workers (AHW), highlighted the urgent need for a wage hike for all health workers and government employees.
AHW said the protest aimed to draw attention to the delayed disbursement of Covid-19 benefits and bonuses, which the health workers argue are rightfully theirs.
Meanwhile, AHW Secretary General Cristy Donguines conveyed the frustration of health workers, stating: "Aanhin mo ang damo kung patay na ang kabayo! (What good is the grass if the horse is already dead!)
She emphasized that despite being hailed as modern-day heroes during the time of President Rodrigo Duterte and the current administration of President Marcos Jr., the benefits owed to them are only provided when demanded through protest actions.
Moreover, Donguines criticized the government for its apparent forgetfulness when it came to fulfilling promises made to health workers. "Obviously, this is not freely given to us," she added.
AHW noted that this protest follows a series of noontime demonstrations by health workers from Philippine General Hospital (PGH), Philippine Orthopedic Center (POC), Government Owned and Controlled Corporations (GOCC), and Tondo Medical Center hospitals, all echoing the same calls for unpaid allowances and a wage increase.
It also emphasized that the health workers claim that, despite their ongoing endeavors to highlight their enduring issues and concerns, the government remains deaf and insensitive to their situation.
READ: https://mb.com.ph/2023/12/12/health-workers-stage-protest-over-unpaid-covid-19-allowances