Health workers seek release of benefits
HEALTH workers held a rally at the Department of Health’s (DoH) office in Manila to seek the release of their longdelayed One Covid-19 Allowance (OCA) and Health Emergency Allowance (HEA).
Under the OCA and HEA, health workers who are in lowrisk situations will receive P3,000 per month, while those working in medium-risk and high-risk situations will receive P6,000 and P9,000 per month respectively.
A health worker under moderate risk exposure should have received P36,000 per month from January to June 2022.
According to Alliance of Health Workers (AHW) president Robert Mendoza, their benefits had always been delayed and their salaries remained low despite their two-year fight with Covid-19.
“When we ask for salary increase, quality protective equipment and benefits, this government will always say they lack funds or no budget at all. Our patience has run out,” Mendoza said.
Sally Ejes, acting president of the Philippine Heart Center Employees Association-AHW, said that the OCA and HEA funds from July to December 2021 and January to June 2022 have not been released for their hospital.
They also called for a salary hike especially those under Salary Grade 1 to P33,671 per month in order to meet the basic needs of their families.
They slammed the continued budget cuts to hospitals and other health care facilities nationwide, saying that only P190.8 billion was allotted for the operations of 76 hospitals, regional offices and programs under the DoH.
Jayymmee de Guzman, president of the San Lazaro Hospital Employees Association-AHW, urged the government to increase the budget of the DoH to 10 percent of the a total gross domestic product, or to around P2 trillion.
“Mr. President, prove to us that you really care for the health workers’ welfare and the people’s health,” de Guzman said.
Health Officer in Charge Maria Rosario Vergeire earlier said that the department is discussing with the Department of Budget and Management issues relating to the release of additional funds for the OCA.