MANILA, Philippines — Senator Francis Pangilinan on Monday urged the Department of Health (DOH) to honor the country’s “everyday heroes” in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic by ensuring that they receive their P500-daily hazard pay.
“Let us honor and celebrate our everyday heroes against COVID by paying them their due, and releasing their daily hazard pay is the least we could do,” Pangilinan said in a statement.
“Araw-araw nilang hinaharap ang COVID, nag-aalaga at nagpapagaling sa mga maysakit, tinitiis nila na hindi makasama ang pamilya, nahihirapan sa commute, at araw-araw ring nakikipagsapalaran sa posibilidad na mahawa ng COVID,” he added.
(These health workers face the threat of COVID-19 daily, caring for patients, enduring being away from their family and struggling with their commute.)
The senator issued the call after his office received complaints that some nurses, medical technologists, and other healthcare workers in public hospitals were supposedly not receiving their daily hazard pay.
“Yung iba naman daw, hindi fixed o hindi buo, merong P150, merong P250, at meron ding P450,” Pangilinan said.
(Some said they are not given their full hazard pay, some receive P150, P250 while others receive P450.)
“Yung iba, nagsisipag-resign na lang at pumapasok sa call center,” he added.
(Some are quitting their jobs and applying for call centers instead.)
The senator pointed out that under the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, healthcare workers are entitled to a COVID-19 special risk allowance in addition to the hazard pay granted under the Magna Carta of Public Health Workers.
While the Bayanihan law already expired in June, the proposed Bayanihan to Recover as One Act which is now only awaiting the President’s signature allocates funding for the P10,000-monthly special risk allowance for medical workers.
READ: COVID-19 ‘survival’ kit: What’s inside the ‘Bayanihan 2’ bill?
“Ang dami nang sakripisyo ng ating mga front-liner. Mano bang suklian natin ang kanilang serbisyo ng binibigay naman ng ating mga batas?” Pangilinan said.
(They have sacrificed a lot. Can we not pay back their services that they are entitled to under the law?)
“Let’s honor our heroes not just with rhetoric but with substance,” he added.
Senate Minority Leader Franklin also paid tribute to healthcare workers in commemoration of the National Heroes Day.
“Today, we salute the brave men and women who have dedicated their lives in the service of our nation,” he said in a statement.
“To the heroes of yesterday and of today, especially the medical frontliners who are leading the fight against COVID-19, thank you for all your sacrifices. We will never forget your bravery and selfless act. The nation is forever grateful,” he added.