Health workers hit DOH over benefits

Health workers in hazmat suits walk outside the Manila COVID-19 Field Hospital in Manila, Philippines, Sept. 7, 2021. (File photo by LIS MARIE DAVIDI / Reuters)

MANILA, Philippines — Healthcare workers are again complaining about not getting the benefits they were supposed to receive last year because of some recurrent snafu at the Department of Health (DOH).

Jao Clumia, spokesperson for the Private Hospital Workers Alliance of the Philippines (PHWAP), which represents 63,772 health workers, told the Inquirer, that a number of medical front-liners were surprised when their applications for claims were denied by the DOH.

When they asked why their claims for benefits due last year were declined, they were told it was because they used an old form, but the DOH never bothered to give the new forms or even inform hospitals about them.

“I’m not sure if they really want to disburse [the benefits] because they are making it difficult for claimants to get their share,” said Clumia, who is also the president of the St. Luke’s Medical Center Employees Association.

No clear explanation

Clumia was referring to benefits that were provided under Republic Act No. 11494, or the Bayanihan 2 law, which was enacted in September 2020.

Many health workers received benefits under that law and the validity of the allocations under that law was extended under RA 11519 but that extension lapsed in June 2021.

President Duterte ordered the release of funds for health workers benefits in August and the DOH said in October that the funds had already been released and were being distributed.

But when PHWAP complained that most of their members had not received their benefits, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the delay was only because of “lapses” in application forms.

Clumia said he again raised the issue with some health officials, but he had not received a clear explanation. The Inquirer tried, but failed to get DOH’s response at press time.

“I told them that they should disseminate to the human resources management [of hospitals] any changes [to the filing process,]” said Clumia, who has grown incredulous of DOH promises.

‘Continuing’ benefits

On Wednesday, Mr. Duterte signed Republic Act No. 11712, or the Public Health Emergency Benefits and Allowances for Health Care Workers Act, which grants “continuing” benefits to health workers.

Under RA 11712, healthcare workers should receive an “emergency allowance” for every month of service during a state of public health emergency.

But Clumia said the latest legislation was “just for show” as elections were just a few days away.

“By the time that this law is implemented, elections are already over,” he told the Inquirer, meaning a new administration with new priorities would have been installed.

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