DOH: Processing of P1-M death benefit for families of 32 fallen health workers ongoing

The distribution of the P1 million death benefit for health workers who died due to COVID-19 while in line of duty is now being processed, according to the Department of Health (DOH) on Thursday.

In an update to reporters, the DOH said the families of the 32 fallen health workers had already been contacted.

"We are processing the checks and working out the necessary documents they need to submit to avail the benefits," the DOH said in a statement.

Earlier this week, several senators expressed dismay upon learning that not a single health worker affected with severe COVID-19 has been able to receive the sickness and death benefit that was indicated in the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act due to lack of implementing rules and regulations (IRR).

Section 4 (f) of the Bayanihan Law states that public and private health workers who would contract severe COVID-19 must receive a P100,000 compensation from the government. A death benefit of P1 million must also be provided to those who will die due to COVID-19 in line of their duty.

The provision has a retroactive application from February 1, 2020.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III also wrote a strongly-worded letter to Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, following up on the implementation of the said provision.

"A law's effectivity does not and cannot rely on the IRR's existence or nonexistence, especially if the provisions of the law is clear and categorical," Sotto said.

"Assuming arguendo that an IRR is indispensable in the implementation of the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, particularly on the grant of compensation to affected health workers or their families, then what hindered your office to draft and approve the said IRR in the past two months?" he added.

Thirty-two out of the over 2,600 infected health care workers in the country already succumbed to COVID-19 in line of duty, according to Senator Richard Gordon.

Two out of the 1,172 active cases in the workforce are severely critical, he added. — RSJ, GMA News