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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Don't delay payment of remaining Covid-19 allowance claims, Romualdez tells authorities

Don't delay payment of remaining Covid-19 allowance claims, Romualdez tells authorities

Published Sep 5, 2025 07:13 am

At A Glance

  • Authorities must not delay the distribution of health emergency allowance (HEA) to health workers who served during the Covid-19 pandemic. Thus, said House Speaker Martin Romualdez as he welcomed on Friday, Sept. 5 the announcement of the Department of Health (DOH) and Department of Budget and Management (DBM) on the release of ₱6.767 billion for the remaining unpaid HEA claims.
House Speaker Martin Romualdez (PPAB)
House Speaker Martin Romualdez (PPAB)


Authorities must not delay the distribution of health emergency allowance (HEA) to health workers who served during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Thus, said House Speaker Martin Romualdez as he welcomed on Friday, Sept. 5 the announcement of the Department of Health (DOH) and Department of Budget and Management (DBM) on the release of ₱6.767 billion for the remaining unpaid HEA claims.
“Matagal nang naghintay ang ating mga kawani sa health sector para mabayaran sila. Hindi dapat atubili ang mga kinauukulan at ipamahagi ito sa ating healthcare workers. Dapat din nilang siguruhin na walang maiiwan o hindi makatatanggap ng HEA dahil ito ay hindi pagkilala sa kanilang paglilingkod sa panahon ng pandemya,” Romualdez said in a statement.
(Our personnel in the health sector have long waited to be paid. The concerned authorities should not hesitate and must distribute this to our healthcare workers. They must also ensure that no one is left behind or excluded from receiving the HEA, because that would be a failure to recognize their service during the pandemic.)
He underscored that the payment of the HEA is in line with President Marcos' clear directive to promote the welfare of healthcare workers who served on the frontlines during the pandemic.
“Nagpapasalamat kami sa suporta ng ating Pangulo para sa ating mga healthcare workers. Hindi niya pinabayaan ang ating mga doktor, nars, at iba pang medical frontliners na tapat na naglingkod sa bayan at nagsakripisyo para mailigtas ang ating mga kababayan kahit sila ay pagod, gutom, at malayo sa kanilang mga mahal sa buhay,” added the Speaker and Leyte 1st district congressman.
(We are grateful for the support of our President for our healthcare workers. He did not abandon our doctors, nurses, and other medical frontliners who faithfully served the nation and sacrificed to save our fellow citizens, even when they were tired, hungry, and far from their loved ones.)
Under Republic Act (RA) No. 11712, or the Public Health Emergency Benefits and Allowances for Health Care Workers Act of 2022, healthcare workers and non-healthcare workers are entitled to HEAs, Covid-19 compensation benefits, and health insurance coverage in case of hospital confinement.
Those deployed to low-risk areas are entitled to a P3,000 HEA per month, while those in medium-risk areas are entitled to P6,000 per month. Those deployed to high-risk areas will receive P9,000 monthly.
In 2024, the DBM released P121.325 billion to cover the Public Health Emergency Benefits and Allowances of eligible healthcare and non-healthcare workers. This included HEAs worth P27.383 billion and a COVID-19 compensation package worth P70.7 billion.
In February 2025, the DOH presented an updated request for an additional P6.7 billion to cover the final balance of unpaid HEAs.
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