(INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / RICHARD A. REYES)
MANILA, Philippines – After health workers from the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI) staged a protest demanding the release of the P82-million budget under the Bayanihan 2, Senator Sonny Angara is now asking the Department of Health (DOH) for an update regarding the distribution of benefits.
In a statement on Saturday, Angara, chairman of the Senate Finance c]Committee and one of the authors of the Republic Act No. 1194 or the Bayanihan to Recover As One Act” said he asked for an update from Health Secretary Francisco Duque III.
In his letter to the health secretary, Angara specifically asked for an update on the benefits such as the “COVID-19 special risk allowance”, the provision on compensation on all public and private health workers who have contracted COVID-19, and the provision of life insurance, accommodation and meals to all health workers during the state of national health emergency, regardless of community quarantine status.
“If possible, may we also the department’s comments on the matter,” Angara’s letter read.
NKTI health workers earlier rallied outside the hospital, demanding the release of the budget that was supposed to cover their meals in the form of grocery items, transportation and accommodation allowance from Sept. 1 to Dec. 31 last year.
Each employee was set to receive P38,500 – P18,500 of worth of gift checks and P20,000 cash, which the union and the hospital management agreed upon in February.