Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, renewed his call for the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to ensure the timely release of necessary allowances for the country’s healthcare workers, in accordance with the law and in consideration to their sacrifices and dedication during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Go reminded DOH Secretary Teodoro "Ted" Herbosa during a Commission on Appointments (CA) hearing on Tuesday, September 26, that some healthcare workers have not yet received their health emergency allowance (HEA).
He also urged the DOH to implement a more efficient and streamlined process to expedite the release of their HEAs in accordance with the law.
“Marami po talagang mga backlog pa po na mga payables of HEAs. Yung mga HEA nila na hindi pa nababayaran, baka may mga backlog pa po from the previous years. Kaya parati akong nananawagan sa DBM, sa DOH na bilisan natin (ang paglabas) nito (There is still a huge backlog of payables for HEAs. They haven’t paid them yet, so there is still a huge backlog from the previous years. That’s why I always remind the Department of Budget and Management and DOH to expedite the release of funds),” urged Go.
“Pasado naman ito sa Kongreso noon. Ipinasa natin ito. Napakaliit lang po niyan na halaga (para) sa sakripisyo na ginawa nila para sa ating bayan sa panahon ng pandemya (It has already passed Congress. We passed it. It’s only a small amount for the sacrifices they gave to our country during the pandemic),” he said.
Go said the least the government can do is to ensure that healthcare workers receive the allowances they rightfully deserve without delay.
As one of the authors and co-sponsor of Republic Act No. 11712, which grants continuing benefits and allowances to healthcare workers during public health emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic, Go expressed his gratitude to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. for showing his unwavering commitment to the welfare of healthcare workers.
“Healthcare workers have been facing enormous challenges on multiple fronts. Apart from the physical demands and risks of treating COVID-19 patients, they have also grappled with emotional and mental tolls, and many have had to cope with the loss of colleagues and patients alike,” said Go.
And as co-sponsor and author of the Salary Standardization Law 5 during the 18th Congress, the lawmaker expressed hope for a new SSL 6.
“I’m one with the government in seeking to provide another increase in salaries for those working in the public sector,” he stressed.