Duque blames subordinates for delay in release of benefits for COVID-19-stricken health workers

With the President as his audience, Secretary Francisco Duque III blamed his subordinates at the Department of Health (DOH) for the delay in the release of the financial assistance to COVID-19-stricken health workers.

At a briefing with President Rodrigo Duterte aired on Friday, Duque said the delay in the processing of benefits for health workers who died while fighting the outbreak was unacceptable.

“Nakakahiya talaga, sir, eh. Namatayan na nga tapos nagpa-wardy wardy 'yung mga tao ko na parang walang sense of urgency. ‘Yun talaga ang sama-sama ng loob ko, Mr. President,” the Health chief said.

Duque said he had instructed his people not to go home until the claims are received by the beneficiaries.

“I am sorry to drag you into this far away province,” Duterte told Duque during the briefing in Davao City.

Duterte earlier gave the DOH until June 9 to implement the provision of the Bayanihan law, which mandates a P100,000 benefit for health workers with severe case of COVID-19 and P1 million for those who died from the disease.

“And if we have to move fast, I will sacrifice you even if you are not really a laggard,” he said.

“There are so many well-intentioned and well-meaning Filipinos, doctors and all, who would want to serve [the] government to contribute to humanity. And we do not have to suffer.”

Also during the briefing, the President directed Duque to form a new team that will manage the distribution of cash assistance to COVID-19-hit health workers.

He said Duque should tap “persons of known honesty” who will “take care of these funds which ought to be in the hands of the intended beneficiaries by this time.”

“I expect it within 24 hours,” he said.

On Thursday, the DOH said 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 after senators slammed the delay in the distribution due to the lack of implementing rules and regulations.

In an update to reporters, Health Undersecretary Roger Tong-an said the families of the 32 fallen health workers had already been contacted. --KBK/AOL, GMA News