Palace assures speedy release of cash aid to family of nurse who died of COVID-19

Malacañang said Thursday the government would extend P1-million financial assistance to the family of a nurse in Cainta, Rizal who died fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a televised briefing, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque vowed to expedite the release of the cash aid to the family of Ma. Theresa Cruz, a nurse in Cainta Municipal Hospital, as mandated by the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act.

He also expressed his condolences to the family.

Cruz’s story became viral on social media after her daughter said she died before she even received hazard pay, which amounted to only P7,000 instead of the expected over P30,000.

“Sisiguraduhin natin na ang ganitong delay ay hindi mangyayari. Unfortunately po, ito po ay isang local hospital na pinatatakbo po ng isang lokal na pamahalaan,” Roque said.

“Bagamat hindi po nakuha on time at iyong ini-expect nilang hazard pay, sisiguraduhin ko po ngayon personally na makukuha iyong ayuda na ibinibigay po sa mga health frontliners na namatay po dahil sa COVID.”

Roque called for a survey of local hospitals regarding compliance on the release of hazard pay.

The Palace official, however, said Cainta Mayor Kit Nieto was not liable for the low amount and undue delay in the release of hazard pay.

“Kinikilala rin iyong kakayahan ng mga iba’t-ibang lokal na pamahalaan na magbigay ng ganitong hazard pay,” Roque said.

“Nagkataon po siguro na hindi kaya magbigay ng Cainta ng P500 [daily hazard pay] but we will still see within the framework of the law and within the framework of the budget of the DOH [Department of Health] how to avoid ‘yung mga future events na kagaya nito.”

The Department of the Interior and Local Government said it would investigate Cruz’s case. —LDF, GMA News