Health workers from different public and private hospitals in Metro Manila yesterday pressed the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to hasten the release of funds for their past due COVID-19 allowances.
The funds are earmarked under Republic Act 11712 or the Public Health Emergency Benefits and Allowances for Health Care Welfare Act approved last April 27, 2022.
Earlier, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa noted that the unprogrammed funds for these allowances can be released by the DBM once the country’s tax collection improves, with the full payment expected to be completed by 2026.
But health workers asserted that this timeline is far too long, and they are losing patience in waiting.
Robert Mendoza, AHW national president, said they are demanding the immediate release of their hard-earned COVID-19 allowances no later than this year.
“We are upset with DBM and the Marcos administration because it can immediately fund the billions of confidential funds of the president, vice president and other local agencies, but it cannot promptly fund and release the HEA of health workers who have been at the forefront in fighting the deadly virus during the pandemic,” he said.