COVID-19 allowance release timed for Sona, decries health workers group

MANILA, Philippines “Why is it only now if there was funding available all along?”

The Alliance of Health Workers (AHW) raised this concern on Friday as it questioned the timing of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s directive to fully release the unpaid COVID-19 Health Emergency Allowance (HEA) for all health workers.

AHW National President Robert Mendoza pointed out that Marcos’ directive’s timing perfectly aligns with the upcoming State of the Nation Address (Sona), where the President will outline his accomplishments.

“The timing of the release of long overdue benefits is very timely to the upcoming Sona by the President. Is it because the administration just wants to showcase his accomplishments rather than addressing the urgent needs of health workers?” Mendoza said in a press statement. 

Despite questioning the timing of Marcos’ directive, Mendoza said he is still hoping that all health workers in private and local government unit hospitals and health facilities will be “paid their much-deserved HEA.”

“[B]ecause during our dialogue with Budget and Management Secretary Pangandaman last April 11, 2024, [the] Department of Health has not yet complied with the final lists and mapping of paid and unpaid health workers of their  Covid-19 allowances,” he said. 

Still, Mendoza believes that releasing the HEA is a “significant victory” for health workers who served the country during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

According to Mendoza, health workers will join the people’s Sona on July 22.

He said the event will be a platform for them to convey their demands to the Marcos administration.