DOH stumped where to get P1-M benefit for 34th health worker who died of COVID-19

The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday said it was exploring options on how to grant the P1-million death benefit to the family of the 34th health worker to succumb to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) after the lapse of the Bayanihan Law.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the DOH was working with other government agencies to be able to continue providing benefits to health workers with COVID-19.

“Dahil po nag-lapse na ang effectivity ng Bayanihan Law, kasalukuyan po tayong nakikipag-usap sa iba’t ibang mga ahensya ng gobyerno upang patuloy na makapagbigay ng death benefit claims sa ating mga healthcare worker,” she said.

Aside from the death benefit, the Bayanihan to Heal As One Act also mandates a compensation of P100,000 for health workers considered severe COVID-19 cases. 

All public health workers are also entitled to a COVID-19 special risk allowance in addition to their hazard pay.

The law expired on June 25. 

Vergeire said the latest medical professional to die of COVID-19 was a barangay health worker in Metro Manila.

As of June 29, a total of 3,372 healthcare workers have contracted the respiratory disease, 2,514 or 75 percent of whom have recovered. -NB, GMA News