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Manila Bulletin devider Business devider DBM releases P30 B for health workers' allowances

DBM releases P30 B for health workers' allowances

Published Jan 15, 2024 05:01 am

At A Glance

  • The government released over P30 billion for the health emergency allowances (HEA) of healthcare and non-healthcare workers last year.<br>As per the law, the emergency funds get a budget of P88 billion. Of this amount, P24 billion was released in 2022 and P18.96 was released this year which leaves a remaining P14 billion.<br>This provision was created to compensate the healthcare and non-healthcare workers in the country who risked their lives during the pandemic.

Over P30 billion was allotted for the health emergency allowances (HEA) of healthcare and non-healthcare workers last year, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) announced.

The DBM said that this fund covered the payment of HEA claims, which has a budget of P88.14 billion, as compensation for their efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“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,” President Marcos said during his second State of the Nation Address last year.

[To compensate for the sacrifices of our health workers in private and public hospitals during the pandemic, they will receive their COVID health emergency allowance and other benefits.]

Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman said the government will continue to ensure that the country’s healthcare and non-healthcare workers will receive the benefits and allowances entitled to them.

"Part of President Bonbgong Marcos’ commitment is to continue giving financial support to healthcare and non-healthcare workers,” Pangandaman said in Tagalog.

“They deserve all our care and support because during the times we needed their help, they risked their lives and safety just to save and care for us,” she added.

“With complete documents and available funds from excess revenue collections, we will ensure the quick release of budget for healthcare emergency allowance claims,” she further said.

The government has released over P24.19 billion of HEA funds to the Department of Health for the same purpose in 2022.

For this year, a total of P18.96 billion has been allocated to cover the payment of HEA claims of eligible public and private healthcare and non-healthcare workers, leaving a balance of P14.88 billion for the implementation of the program.

"We will endeavor to release the balance, as well as the unfunded HEA claims of roughly P14 billion to fulfill the commitment of President Bongbong Marcos in his SONA,” the budget chief said.

Related Tags

COVID-19 pandemic Health Emergency Allowance (HEA) Department of Budget and Management
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