Covid health emergency allowance and other pending benefits intended for health workers during the pandemic will be released. President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. (Photo courtesy of Malacañang)
President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. made the commitment during his second State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, July 24. "Upang masuklian naman natin ang naging sakripisyo ng ating mga health workers sa pribado at pampubliko na mga ospital noong nakaraang pandemya, ipapamahagi na sa kanila ang kanilang Covid health emergency allowance at iba pang mga nabinbing benepisyo (In order to repay the sacrifices of our health workers in the private and public hospitals during the pandemic, we will be giving them their Covid health emergency allowance and other pending benefits)," Marcos vowed, gaining applause from the guests and officials present during his SONA. Marcos' commitment came after lifting the State of Public Health Emergency throughout the Philippines due to Covid-19 on July 22.

Healthcare professionals shortage

In his SONA, the President has also committed to expand the country’s medical and nursing education programs to help address the shortage of healthcare workers in the country due to migration. “To address the current shortage of healthcare professionals in our country, and to help us achieve our goal of universal healthcare, we are greatly expanding our medical and nursing education programs,” he said. "We will push the envelope even further. We are helping nursing graduates hurdle their board exams, so that they will obtain their licenses and join our pool of healthcare professionals,” he added. According to the Department of Health (DOH), the country lacks some 194,000 health professionals, citing low salary as among the reasons why nurses opt to work abroad. The Chief Executive said the administration will focus on building healthier communities for Filipinos especially after the challenges posed by the pandemic in the health sector. “We are now refocusing our health priorities, applying the lessons learnt from the pandemic and addressing the weaknesses that it has exposed. Healthier communities and lifestyles are our advocacy,” he said.

Structural changes

Marcos stressed in his public address that the country's healthcare system " is undergoing structural changes." He cited that public health facilities are being increased, both in number and in capability. Last year, more than 3,400 projects were completed, including 60 specialty centers. He noted that specialty centers in various fields are being established and integrated into government hospitals. The President also highlighted that the price of basic medicine in the country has already decreased by 40 percent. He said the efforts to reduce the price of basic medicine were made possible through the integrated primary care providers and networks, in partnership with the local government units and private stakeholders. "We are working for a more direct, efficient delivery of services, through integrated primary care providers and networks, in partnership with the LGUs (local government units) and our partners in the private sector. These shall of course be supported by what is now a better and more efficient PhilHealth," he said. The President added that efforts were also supported by what is now “a better and more efficient” Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth). “Aside from the maximum retail price regulation being implemented, strategic VAT exemption also lowered the prices of 59 essential medications, such as those for cancer, diabetes, hypertension, kidney disease, and mental illness,” he added. Marcos added the government is now closer to its dream of providing quality healthcare as he emphasized that 93 percent of the Filipino people are now members of PhilHealth. Under the “Konsulta Package of PhilHealth,” he said 21 types of medicines and 13 laboratory services are now given for free as he emphasized that there are already 2,000 ‘Konsulta’ centers around the country, which is 35 percent higher than last year’s data.