ILOILO City – The Department of Health (DOH) has disbursed nearly all of the allocated P5.98 billion intended for the Health Emergency Allowance (HEA) of healthcare workers in Western Visayas who provided services during the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to DOH-6 regional director Dr. Adriano Suba-an, the exact amount is P5,980,845,282, representing 99.96 percent of the budget.
The remaining funds are expected to be distributed soon after they are received from the DOH Central Office.
Dr. Suba-an emphasized that the allowance, while financially supportive, cannot fully compensate for the courage shown by healthcare workers during the pandemic, where they risked their lives to treat COVID-19 patients.
The HEA covers the period from July 2021 to July 2023, said DOH-6 Administrative Officer V and human resources head, Genevieve Cadornigara.
She noted that the allowance varies as it is based on the risk classification — low, moderate, or high — of healthcare workers at both public and private facilities.
To date, 19 health facilities have received a complete 25-month distribution of the HEA.
Some facilities are still awaiting their allowances, pending the release of funds by the central office.
This delay comes despite an announcement from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) on July 4, stating that about P27 billion will be released by July 5, following an order from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to settle all outstanding HEA claims.
The additional funding from the DBM includes P27.453 billion approved in May upon DOH’s request, covering 5,039,926 remaining unpaid HEA claims and 4,283 COVID-19 sickness and death compensation claims for eligible healthcare and non-healthcare workers.
Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said the funding, initially requested for 2025, was expedited to fulfill the government’s promise to healthcare workers sooner.
Overall, the DBM has released P91.283 billion to the DOH since 2021 for Public Health Emergency Benefits and Allowances, which includes Special Risk Allowance, COVID-19 related compensations, and additional benefits such as meals, accommodation, and transportation allowances for healthcare workers./PN
