The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the Department of Health (DOH) should deliver the commitments President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. stated in his second State of the Nation Address (SONA) as soon as possible, Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go said.
Sen. Christopher "Bong" Go (O/S Bong Go)
In particular, Go stressed the urgent need to expedite the disbursement of risk allowances to healthcare workers who have been at the forefront of the nation's fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
Go pointed out the risk allowance for health workers who rendered their services during the pandemic should have been given to them a long time ago.
The chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography lamented that health workers risked their lives and made significant sacrifices during the pandemic, and therefore, the DOH and the DBM should speed up their efforts.
"Hindi po natin mararating itong kinararatnan natin kung hindi po dahil sa sakripisyo at tulong ng ating mga medical frontliners. Tulungan po natin sila, ibigay po ang nararapat para sa kanila (We wouldn't be able to reach where we are today if not for the sacrifice of our medical frontliners. Let's help them, give them what they deserve),” Go said.
“Nakikiusap po ako sa DBM, sa DOH, bilisan n’yo po. May pondo naman po aprubado sa 2023 budget, which is about P19-billion. Unahin n’yo po ang previous years, bayaran n’yo po what is due to them, bilisan n’yo, (I am begging the DBM, the DOH, hurry up. There is a fund approved in the 2023 budget, which is about P19-billion. Prioritize the previous years, pay what is due them, and act with haste),” he stressed.
"Kung maaari ihatid n’yo nga po sa kanilang mga tahanan. Bilisan n’yo thru ATM, ipasok n’yo na agad sa mga account nila dahil napakaliit ito na halaga kumpara sa sakripisyong ginawa ng ating mga medical frontliners (If you can, deliver it to their homes. Hasten the process by paying them through the ATM, put it into their accounts right away because it's a very small amount compared to the sacrifice made by our medical frontliners),” he said.
Go also reiterated that even if the state of public health emergency has been lifted, it is necessary to provide what is due to the healthcare workers.
At the same time, the senator welcomed the Marcos administration’s promise to increase job opportunities, combating illegal drugs, and ensuring medical assistance for the poor.