Additional incentive for health workers this Christmas still needs gov’t study — DOH

Health workers wait at a COVID-19 testing center at the Palacio de Manila during an enhanced community quarantine to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus on Monday, May 11, 2020 in Manila, Philippines. Several sports and events venues have been converted as quarantine facilities or testing centers as the country tries to cope with the ongoing pandemic. (AP file photo/Aaron Favila)

MANILA, Philippines — The government will still have to study whether it can provide additional incentives to health workers who will go on duty this Christmas and take care of coronavirus disease patients, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said Tuesday.

“There is this regular incentive that we give that if you go on duty for example Christmas Day or any holiday, you get this additional incentive. Aside from that, of course, the bonuses, Christmas bonuses will be provided by the government as well,” Vergeire told ABS-CBN News Channel.

“Maybe for this specific season because of our situation, maybe the government can also grant additional incentives but that has to be discussed yet and we will need to study that if the budget of the government is there,” she added.

Vergeire said there is no budget allocation for additional incentives for health workers during the Christmas season as regular incentives are already being provided during holidays.

JPV