DOH eyes Bayanihan 3 as source of funds for special risk allowance, hazard pay of health workers

Funds needed  for the special risk allowance and hazard pay of health workers until the end of the year could be sourced from the proposed Bayanihan 3 law, Health Undersecretary Leopoldo Vega told lawmakers on Wednesday.

In a hearing at the House of Representatives, Vega said they are in need of funds from the Bayanihan 3 measure for the benefits, compensation as well as equipment of health workers.

"We will need a special risk allowance, that's one. The actual hazard duty pay, third the compensation of health care workers, the HRH (Human Resource and Health Network) emergency hiring for the salaries and benefits," said Vega.

"Fifth the meals, accommodation, transportation. Then we have the augmentation to the different operating units. Then the testing kits and laboratory commodities, drugs and medicines, procurement of vaccine, vaccine transportation cost. So these are the needs, especially what was given to us in Bayanihan 2 and of course the PPE  (personal protective equipment) and infrastructure and equipment," he added.

Vega was answering Marikina Representative Stella Quimbo's question regarding the Department of Health's needs for pandemic response under the Bayanihan 3.

As for the disbursement of special risk allowance allocated under the Bayanihan 2, Vega said it has already reached 84%.

Vega said they are also in support of the enactment of Bayanihan 3 into law because the bill has "key components that are related for the health-related response."

Later in the hearing, House Deputy Speaker Rufus Rodriguez then asked if there are still more budget to render such benefits for health workers until December 2021, especially as they are still in the frontlines to treat COVID-19 patients.

"How about from July 1 up to the end of the year? There is a need to give hazard pay and  special risk allowance. Do we have? Can our nurses expect hazard pay and special risk allowance from July until December 2021?" Rodriguez asked Vega.

"We do hope for other resources from Bayanihan 3, because Bayanihan 2 has expired," Vega told the lawmaker.

Bayanihan 3 was passed by the House of Representatives on third and final reading last June. The measure seeks to provide P401 billion worth of interventions to help the country recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.  

For the Senate, Senator Sonny Angara said the finance committee, which he chairs, will hold hearings once session resumes. However, Palace had said there is no need to pass the Bayanihan 3 since there are still funds left from the 2021 budget.  —KBK, GMA News