By Macon Ramos-Araneta
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go urged the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the Department of Health (DOH) to ensure that the commitments made by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in his second State of the Nation Address (SONA) are met.
He specifically stressed the need to expedite the disbursement of risk allowances to healthcare workers who have been at the forefront of the nation’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The backlog should be hastened which means the previous years when risk allowances should have been given to health workers,” Go said.
He added that these health workers risked their lives and made significant sacrifices during the pandemic.
“We have not reached where we are now if not for the sacrifices and help of our medical frontliners. Let us help them. Let us give what’s due them,” he said.
He also called on the said agencies to speed up their efforts, noting there was an approved allocation for this purpose in the 2023 budget, which is about P19 billion.
In his last SONA, the President committed to disbursing the allowances of health workers, as prescribed by Republic Act No. 11712.
Go is one of the authors and co-sponsors of the said act in the Senate. While the State of Public Health Emergency has been lifted, the senator emphasized the increased need to provide what is due to the healthcare workers.
Go lauded the President’s promise of helping poor Filipinos and generating job opportunities, combating illegal drugs, and ensuring medical assistance for the needy.