MANILA – The Department of Health (DOH) has committed to distribute by the end of this year at least P15.2 billion in pandemic benefits for public and private health-care workers who attended to COVID-19 patients in the last three years.
In a press briefing on Tuesday, Health Undersecretary Enrique Tayag cited documentary requirements as one of the reasons for the delay in the disbursement of the health emergency allowance (HEA) that has ballooned to P15.2 billion.
“Before the year ends, we are seeing that the remaining [HEA] will be given. Coordination with DBM (Department of Budget and Management) is also ongoing so that we will be able to get the needed amount,” said Tayag, who is also the spokesperson for DOH.
He added that Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa had also met with groups of health-care workers to discuss their concerns regarding the delayed benefits.
A total of P46.4 billion had already been given to medical front-liners as COVID-19 allowances in the last three years, noted Tayag.
Health-care workers have long been protesting the lack of funding as well as the late distribution of pandemic benefits.
Among Herbosa’s promises upon his appointment was to expedite the release of mandated HEA to medical front-liners.
Meanwhile, the DOH welcomed a proposal by the United States to send American nursing students to the Philippines for their tertiary education and training.
But Tayag noted that the DOH is deferring any developments and bilateral agreements on the proposed policy to other government agencies, such as the Commission on Higher Education. (Kathleen de Villa © Philippine Daily Inquirer)
