Go warns DoH: Release hazard pay or face probe
There is no reason for the delay of the hazard pay of health workers
Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go has urged the Department of Health (DoH) to release the active hazard duty pay (AHDP) and special risk allowance (SRA) of frontline health workers.
His appeal came almost three months after the signing of Republic Act 11494 or the “Bayanihan to Recover as One Act.”
“With or without a resolution, I’m calling out the DoH. The money is there. There is the Department of Budget and Management. There is no reason for the delay of the hazard pay of health workers,” said Go, chair of the Senate Committee on Health.
He made the appeal after attending the launch of the 94th Malasakit Center at the Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center in San Fernando City, La Union.
The senator warned he would speak out until healthcare workers receive the compensation due to them. He expressed his openness to consider calls for an investigation into the delay to hold accountable negligent officials.
“I won’t stop calling their attention and I would make sure President (Rodrigo) Duterte will know. We need to charge those responsible for the delay. People have been suspended by the Ombudsman for the delay in the release of financial assistance for doctors who died of coronavirus,” Go warned.
The granting of the AHDP and SRA is pursuant to the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act which directs the national government to provide an AHDP to all frontline healthcare workers in the public sector and an SRA to public and private health workers directly catering to COVID-19 patients
Last 16 November, Duterte signed Administrative Order 35 which ordered government to grant an AHDP of up to P3,000 per month and AO 36 which orders the granting of an SRA not exceeding P5,000 per month.
With or without a resolution, I’m calling out the DoH. The money is there.
The DBM and DoH issued Joint Circulars 1 and 2 on 29 November which provides the guidelines for granting hazard pay and allowances.
Funds for the AHDP and SRA were released to the DoH as early as 27 October.
“Let’s give attention to the welfare of our frontliners — health workers, doctors and nurses. It is only right that we give them additional financial assistance for the sacrifices they make,” Go had said in the past.
“Let’s listen and help them because they are our soldiers fighting an invisible enemy every day, putting their lives at stake so that our country will hurdle the challenge posed by the coronavirus,” he said.