Healthcare workers will receive their allowance in cash –Vergeire

Healthcare workers will get their allowances in cash, after the allotment was "repurposed" to other COVID-19-related responses, Health undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said on Saturday.

"Noong Disyembre nakakuha tayo ng report na hindi nagagamit ng mga ospital itong perang ibinaba para sa allowance for transportation, meals and accommodation ng healthcare workers," Vergeire said at the Laging Handa public briefing.

[We were informed that hospitals were unable to use the money for heath workers' transportation, meals and accommodation.]

She said hospitals could not use the budget due to certain rules in the procurement and fund utilization.

Thus, the Department of Health (DOH) decided to retrieve the allocation. "Ibabalik natin (we will return it) to the quick response fund," Vergeire said, adding that the money should not be put on hold as the year will soon be over.

Upon the return of the allowance, Vergeire said, the agency used it for responses related to COVID-19, including the purchase of test kits.

But Malacañang directed the DOH to monetize the free accommodation and meals intended for health workers.

"Gusto ko pong i-ensure at i-assure ang ating healthcare workers na 'yun pong pera ay hinahanap natin at ibibigay po ito sa inyo, pera na po ang ibibigay sa inyo. Kaunting patience lang po," Vergeire said.

(I want to assure our healthcare workers that we are looking for the fund sources and this will be given to you in cash. We ask for your patience.)

Health Undersecretary Leopoldo Vega earlier said that the hazard pay and special risk allowance for health frontline workers from January to June this year are still being processed by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

More than a year into the pandemic, health workers at the forefront in the battle against COVID-19, still lament their low and delayed pay. They have not received their hazard pay since January this year. —LBG, GMA News