Release health workers’ allowances, Go says
IN recognition of the courage and sacrifices of health care workers (HCWs) amid the Covid-19 pandemic, Sen. Bong Go on Tuesday reiterated his call for the prompt disbursement of their Health Emergency Allowance (HEA).
In honoring Filipino war heroes during the Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor), Go drew some comparisons of the heroism and sacrifices of HCWs in the war against the Covid-19 pandemic.
“They are the heroes in the time of the pandemic. We wouldn’t have been able to return to normal if not for their sacrifices,” he said, underscoring the fact that some HCWs have even lost their lives in the line of duty.
He shared that in a public hearing conducted on April 2 by the Senate Committee on Health, which he chairs, the discussion centered on the HEA that had been previously advocated for and enacted into law, aimed at addressing the needs of health care workers during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Go reiterated his appeal to concerned agencies to expedite the release of the allowances, stating, “From then until now, I have not stopped appealing to the government to give the pending HEA to the qualified HCWs.”
“In fact, even during the time of former president Rodrigo Duterte, I even delivered a privilege speech in the Senate to criticize the slow release of additional benefits to HCWs, such as death benefits for those who sacrificed their lives back then,” he added.
Last Congress, Go was one of the authors and co-sponsors in the Senate of the Republic Act (RA) 11712, which grants benefits and allowances to health care workers during public health emergencies like the Covid-19 pandemic. Even after lifting the State of Public Health Emergency in the country, he has persistently appealed to the executive branch to release the pending health emergency allowances owed to qualified health care workers.
Nearly a year has passed since the state of public health emergency was lifted, but several HCWs are still awaiting their HEA.
Go called on the Department of Health (DoH) and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) for the expedited release of the HEA, framing it not just as a service rendered but as a debt owed by the government to its health care workers.
He asked DoH and DBM to reconcile their records to accurately determine the remaining number of health care workers who haven’t received their HEA, how much is expected to be released this year, and the amount needed to fulfill all obligations so that this can be sufficiently funded in the coming years.
“Both the DoH and the DBM have promised to reconcile their records so that the HCWs can be paid,” he said, ensuring that the Senate Health Committee will continue to monitor the situation closely.