Northern Samar probes delay in release of hazard pay for medical workers, scholars

Northern Samar map

TACLOBAN CITY — The governor of Northern Samar has asked the provincial board to investigate the delay in the release of hazard pay to medical workers and financial assistance to scholars.

Gov. Edwin Ongchuan said he learned that around 200 medical personnel assigned to the provincial government’s medical facilities, have not received their hazard pay since October last year.

The hazard pay amounts to between P1,893 and P5,679, depending on the salary grade of employees.

Also, at least 10,000 beneficiaries of the province’s “Iskolar ng Probinsya” program have yet to receive financial assistance amounting to P5,000 each.

Vice Gov. Clarence Dato and Board Member Don Abalon said the release of the hazard pay should be given immediately to the recipients without disregarding the rules on accounting and other laws.

On Tuesday, Feb. 14, the board headed by Dato invited provincial accountant Amalia Espinar to explain the cause of the delay.

Espinar said the delay was due to their need to determine who among the medical personnel were entitled to the hazard pay.

She said there were claims that some supposed recipients were not exposed to hazards.

Under a circular issued by the Department of Health and the Department of Budget and Management, the amount to be given depends on the degree of exposure to hazards.

Espinar said she was delaying the release since non-medical personnel qualified to get the financial assistance might question it.

But Dr. Ninfa Kam, provincial health officer, maintained that all health workers, whether medical or administrative, should receive the hazard pay.

“All of them were exposed to some degree of risk,” she said.

On the release of benefits for the province’s scholars, she said the delay was due to the large number of recipients their office was dealing with.

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