Duterte signs law sustaining benefits to healthcare workers in health emergencies

FILE PHOTO: President Rodrigo Duterte. INQUIRER FILES

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has signed a measure granting mandatory continuing benefits to healthcare workers during public health emergencies, including the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Republic Act No. 11712 or the “Public Health Emergency Benefits and Allowances for Healthcare Workers Act,” covers all healthcare and non-healthcare workers, regardless of employment status, during the COVID-19 pandemic or other public health emergencies on a national scale that may be declared in the future.

The measure was signed Wednesday, April 27, but a copy of it was only shared with the media on Friday.

The measure states that a health emergency allowance should be given to healthcare and non-healthcare workers for every month of service during a state of a public health emergency. The amount, however, depends on the risk exposure categorization

• P3,000 for those deployed in low-risk areas;
• P6,000 for those in “medium risk areas; and
• P9,000 for those in “high-risk areas

Aside from this, those who have contacted COVID-19 in the line of duty should also be compensated:

• In case of death of the individual, P1 million shall be provided to the heirs
• In case of sickness, for a severe or critical case, P100,000 shall be provided to the ill individual
• In case of sickness, for a mild to moderate case, P15,000 shall be provided to the ill individual;

The covered health sector workers should also be given full PhilHealth coverage.

According to the measure, the benefits should have a retroactive application from July 1, 2021, and should remain in full force and effect during the state of national public health emergency as declared by the President.

Aside from this, Duterte also signed three more measures into law:

• Republic Act No 11710 separates the Parañaque National High School-Marcelo Green Annex from
• Parañaque National High School, converting it into an independent national high school
• Republic Act No 11711 which amends Republic Act No 4566 or the Contractors’ License Law
• Republic Act No 11713 or the Excellence in Teacher Education Act

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KGA