Lawmakers laud release of P27.4-B COVID-19 allowance

Inquirer files

MANILA, Philippines — Several members of the House of Representatives thanked the executive branch for releasing the last tranche of the COVID-19 allowance for healthcare workers, noting that it would be a crucial help for them and their families.

In a statement on Monday, the following members of the House’ so-called “young guns” said that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s decision to release the P27.4 billion unpaid health emergency allowance (HEA) would go a long way:

• Zambales Rep. Jay Khonghun
• La Union Rep. Paolo Ortega V
• 1-Rider party-list Rep. Rodge Gutierrez
• Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Raul Angelo Bongalon
• Nueva Ecija Rep. Mika Suansing
• Manila Rep. Joel Chua
• PBA party-list Rep. Migs Nograles
• Davao Oriental Rep. Cheeno Miguel Almario
• Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong
• Isabela Rep. Inno Dy V

READ: P27 billion COVID-19 health allowances to be given this year, says Herbosa

“We are very happy that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ordered the allowance release for our health workers. This decision demonstrates his commitment to supporting those on our healthcare system’s front lines. By providing this financial assistance, the government acknowledges the vital contributions of our healthcare workers and helps alleviate some of the burdens they face,” Khonghun said.

“We thank the President for consistently recognizing and reciprocating our health workers’ selfless sacrifices and invaluable service. Their contributions during the pandemic were truly invaluable. We must honor their dedication by ensuring they receive the support and appreciation they rightfully deserve,” Ortega added.

READ: DBM to track delivery of COVID-19 allowance for healthcare workers

Gutierrez and Bongalon meanwhile said that the relatives of healthcare workers who will receive the long-overdue payouts can use the funds to cope with the rising prices of basic goods.

“We appreciate the President’s dedicated efforts to compensate our health workers, who have made tremendous sacrifices, including laying down their lives so that others may live. This underscores the President’s steadfast commitment to championing the interests and welfare of our healthcare heroes,” Gutierrez said.

“Kudos to President BBM and DBM Sec. Pangandaman! They just helped families of our frontline health workers cope with the never-ending problem of recurring inflation. Now they can use the money for whatever needs their family members have,” Bongalon added.

Released within 2024

Last Wednesday, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said the remaining P27.4 billion unpaid COVID-19 HEAs eligible medical frontliners will be released by this year.

According to Herbosa, he was informed by Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman that the COVID-19 HEA will no longer be included in the 2025 national budget as it can be released within 2024.

The Department of Budget and Management said that the HEA was released last Friday, assuring the public at the same time that they will track the delivery of the allowances.

Suansing echoed her fellow lawmakers’ sentiments, saying that healthcare workers are also affected by the economic challenges faced by many Filipinos.

“We will fully support our hardworking health care workers. Like everyone else, they are facing the same challenges as the rest of the population. It is fortunate that the government has been able to improve their situation with the order of the President to release the allowance,” Suansing said.

Chua and Nograles meanwhile believe the release of the funds are a testament to the government’s acknowledgement of healthcare workers’ efforts.  Almario on the other hand said the release of the funds will uplift the morale of the healthcare workers.

“The financial support will uplift the spirits of health care workers and ensure they can continue making essential contributions during these challenging times,” Chua said.

Sigh of relief

“Our unsung heroes during the two-year pandemic can now finally breathe a sigh of relief with the release of their allowances.  The release is very significant in alleviating the burdens faced by our dedicated health care workers, whose relentless efforts have been crucial in battling the challenges of the pandemic,” Nograles.

READ: 104 health workers die of COVID-19 — DOH data

“The allowance will significantly boost their morale and enable them to sustain their vital services to the community.  We owe our health workers a lot in terms of taking care of our COVID-stricken fellow kababayans. And they fully deserve all this remuneration,” Almario said.

Several healthcare workers either got sick or died during the different waves of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Despite their valiant efforts, many groups, activists, and even healthcare workers feel they were not taken care of by the administration of former president Rodrigo Duterte.

In June 2020—four months after the COVID-19 pandemic paralyzed the country—the Alliance of Healthcare Workers warned that more nurses and doctors might resign out of fear, if the government would continue to ignore health workers’ concerns back then.

During that time, the Department of Health (DOH) said that there were 2,669 health workers who tested positive for COVID-19—including 32 who died.

In September 2021, DOH said that 104 health workers had died of the pandemic.

There were also relatives of healthcare workers who complained about the meager allowances that they got — even after the frontliners’ death.

In August 2020, Joie Cruz, daughter  of Maria Theresa Cruz, a Cainta public hospital nurse who succumbed to the coronavirus, said she was expecting her mother’s hazard pay to be around P30,000—computed based on the P500 per day per government worker pronouncement of health officials.

To her surprise, however, she found out that her mother’s ancillary payment for toiling under dangerous conditions was just P7,000.