OP funds may be used for benefits of virus-stricken health workers – Palace

MANILA, Philippines — The government may utilize funds from the Office of the President (OP) to continue the compensation of health workers who died or became severely ill due to COVID-19, Malacañang said Thursday.

“Iko-confirm ko lang po within the day para magkaroon talaga ng confirmation na huwag pong mag-aalala ang mga health workers, sagot muna po ng Office of the President iyan,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in an interview over dzMM TeleRadyo.

(I’ll confirm within the day but the health workers need not worry as the Office of the President will pitch hints for the meantime.)

Roque said this after the Department of Health (DOH) disclosed it is now coordinating with other government agencies on how it can continue giving the Bayanihan to Health As One Act-mandated compensation for health workers following the law’s expiration on June 24.

Under Republic Act 11469 or the Bayanihan to Health As One Act, health workers who become severely ill in the line of duty are to get compensation of P100,000 while the family of those who died of COVID-19 in the line of duty should get P1 million.

In its COVID-19 situation report released Wednesday evening, DOH said there are to date 3,390 healthcare workers who have been infected by the respiratory disease, of which 2,585 or 76 percent have recovered while 34 died.

KGA