DBM: Over ₱30 B emergency funds released for health workers in 2023
Over ₱30 billion was allotted for the health emergency allowances (HEA) of healthcare and non-healthcare workers last year, according to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).
The DBM said this fund covered the payment of HEA claims, which has a budget of ₱88.14 billion, as compensation for their ef
forts during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Upang masuklian naman natin ang naging sakripisyo ng ating mga health workers sa pribado at pampubliko na mga ospital noong nakaraang pandemya, ipapamahagi na sa kanila ang kanilang Covid health emergency allowance at iba pang mga nabinbing benepisyo (To compensate for the sacrifices of our health workers in private and public hospitals during the pandemic, they will receive their Covid health emergency allowance and other benefits),” President Marcos said during his second State of the Nation Address last year.
Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman said the government will continue to ensure that the country’s healthcare and nonhealthcare workers will receive the benefits and allowances entitled to them.
“Part of President Bonbgong Marcos’ commitment is to continue giving financial support to healthcare and non-healthcare workers,”
Pangandaman said.
“They deserve all our care and support because during the times we needed their help, they risked their lives and safety just to save and care for us,” she added. “With complete documents and available funds from excess revenue collections, we will ensure the quick release of budget for healthcare emergency allowance claims.”
The government released over ₱24.19 billion of HEA funds to the Department of Health for the same purpose in 2022.
For this year, ₱18.96 billion has been allocated to cover the payment of HEA claims of eligible public and private healthcare and non-healthcare workers, leaving a balance of ₱14.88 billion for the implementation of the program.
“We will endeavor to release the balance, as well as the unfunded HEA claims of roughly ₱14 billion to fulfill the commitment of President Bongbong Marcos in his SONA,” the budget chief said.