Sen. Bong Go Advocates for Timely Health Worker Allowances

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MANILA – Senator Bong Go urged the Department of Health (DoH) and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to expedite the distribution of P27 billion in health emergency allowances for healthcare workers, aiming for completion by October.


Speaking during the Senate Committee on Health's public hearing on July 30, Go highlighted the critical role of these allowances for healthcare professionals who tirelessly served during the Covid-19 pandemic.


Go, one of the principal authors and co-sponsors of Republic Act (RA) 11712, which ensures benefits and allowances for healthcare workers during public health emergencies, emphasized the need for prompt distribution. 


"Under the DoH's plan, how will you release the P27 billion to healthcare workers? And how can you ensure that no one will be left behind and all our health workers will receive their HEA (health emergency allowance)?" he inquired.


Go referenced Finance Secretary Ralph Recto’s assurance that the funds are already with the DoH and DBM, ready for disbursement.


During the discussions, Ronald Ignacio, spokesperson for the United Private Hospital Unions of the Philippines, brought attention to the ongoing challenges faced by healthcare workers, including delays and discrepancies in the payment of HEA. He stressed the need for timely and accurate distribution to support those who have been at the frontline of the pandemic response.

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