DOH CLARIFIES IT SHOULD BE CASH

Defensor: Some health workers given incentives in form of food, groceries

Anakalusugan party-list Representative Mike Defensor on Thursday claimed that the Department of Health and several government hospitals could be violating Bayanihan 2 for supposedly giving incentives to health workers in the form of food items.

In a press statement, Defensor said he has received complaints, especially in Quezon City hospitals, that instead of cash incentives, health workers were given food items.

The lawmaker said medical personnel are expected to receive as high as P40,000 in additional emolument, but based on reports he received, the personnel will get the incentives in the form of rice and groceries.

"Because of the pandemic, the Bayanihan 2 law grants our health personnel a special monthly risk allowance on top of their hazard pay and other benefits. As far as I could remember, the mandate is to give these benefits in cash," the lawmaker said.

"That deprives our health workers of spending flexibility. Since June is school enrollment period, they might want to spend their money on their children’s tuition or school supplies,” he added.

Asked for reaction on the issue, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said this practice is not allowed, noting that these allowances should be provided in cash.

"No such order from DOH," Duque said in a message.

Further, the DOH said meals, transportation, and accommodation can be converted to cash as per approval of the Office of the President.

Duque is asking for the hospitals and medical centers which are supposedly doing this so the DOH can investigate them immediately.

Meanwhile, Defensor called on the DOH to update lawmakers on its compliance with the Bayanihan 2 law.

Aside from the special risk allowance, the law grants health workers free life insurance, meals, transportation, accommodation, and additional compensation to those infected by COVID-19.—AOL, GMA News