In April 2022, former President Rodrigo Duterte signed Republic Act 11712, which granted allowances from P3,000 to P9,000 depending on risk classification to health workers during public emergencies and compensation if they get infected with Covid-19.
The government had previously released P91 billion to the Department of Health (DOH) for Public Health Emergency Benefits and Allowances (PHEBA), P73 billion of which was for Health Emergency Allowance (HEA) of health workers from 2021 to 2023.
However, it was not until Thursday, July 4, that the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) announced that the government will finally release the unpaid P27 billion on July 5.
Pogi points?
"Why is it only now? If there was funding available all along,” the Alliance of Health Workers (AHW) said in a press statement following DBM’s announcement.
“The timing of the release of long overdue benefits is very timely to the upcoming State of the Nation Address by the president. Is it because the administration just wants to showcase his accomplishments rather than addressing the urgent needs of health workers.” the group added.
DOH spokesman Albert Dominga said in an interview that the HEA was initially included in the National Expenditure Program for 2025.
“Nagtaka kami bakit, dun sa National Expenditure Program na sinubmit namin, inalis nila ‘yung HEA. Sabi namin, ano naman nangyari? ‘Yun pala may magandang pagtupad ng pangako ang Pangulong Marcos na hindi aantayin ang 2025, this year na,” said Domingo.
Former Health Secretary and Iloilo First District Representative Janette Garin also commented that the release was “long overdue.”
“The problem is may pera naman, ang laki naman ng budget… pero hindi siya nabigyan ng priority ng previous administration,” Garin said in a statement.
‘Promise fulfilled’
“This is a promise fulfilled. Kahit sa 2025 pa ito hinihiling ng DOH, sinikap po ng DBM na mas maaga itong tuparin, dahil deserve po ito ng ating mga manggagawa sa health sector,” DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said.
But why did the government delay the release of HEAs before and why did they advance it now when it’s supposed to be on 2025?
Still, despite feeling lack of appreciation and attention from the government in addressing their issues, AHW said that they still consider it a victory.
“The release of the HEA is a significant victory for our health workers who have been at the forefront of the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic,” AHW National President Robert Mendoza said.
“These dedicated individuals have worked selflessly to provide care and support to patients, often putting their own health and their family's safety at risk,” he added
The P27 billion is composed of 5,039,926 unpaid HEA and 4,283 Covid-19 sickness and death compensation.
“AHW believes that it is health workers’ strong unity, collective action and continuous and tireless insistence had pushed the DOH, DBM and Marcos Jr. administration to release COVID-19 allowances,” the group stated.
The group also said that they will join the coming SONA to ‘convey their legitimate demands’ to the government such as living wage, just benefits, job security, mass hiring, and right to health of the people.
#WeTakeAStand #OpinYon #DOH #PHEBA #HEA