DOH: Lung Center health workers will still receive COVID-19 benefits, allowances

The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday said healthcare workers in the Lung Center of the Philippines (LCP) will continue to receive benefits and allowances amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a statement, the DOH said this is in accordance with the requirements and procedures set to ensure the efficient and transparent delivery of these benefits.

According to the Health department, the LCP received last year a total of P86,854,545.45 for the grant of active hazard duty pay and special risk allowance, while P45,771,000 for meals, accommodation and transportation (MAT) for healthcare workers involved in COVID-19 response in line with the provisions of Bayanihan II.

“The DOH recognizes the immense contribution of our valiant healthcare workers (HCWs) in the fight against COVID-19,” Health undersecretary and chief of staff Dr. Leopoldo Vega said.

Meanwhile, the LCP also received and already disbursed P8,593,093.75 and P9,166,812.50  for the grant of One COVID19 Allowance (OCA) for the month of January and February respectively.

The DOH said the funds for OCA this March amounting to P9,320,250 had been transferred to the hospital last June 8, 2022.

The management of LCP, on the other hand, said it is committed to release the March OCA for eligible healthcare workers as soon as possible.

Vega said that the DOH is closely working with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to secure funds and to continue providing benefits and allowances.

“One of these, the One COVID-19 Allowance or OCA, will become the Health Emergency Allowance or HEA, once the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act 11712 is issued soon. We are one with all frontline healthcare workers in this regard,” he added.

The DBM earlier said it has released P1.081 billion for the grant of sickness and death benefits to public and private healthcare workers and non-HCWs who contracted COVID-19 or may do so in line of duty amid the pandemic this year.

The DBM said those who contracted mild or moderate COVID-19 infection will receive a compensation of P15,000.

Meanwhile, those who got severe or critical COVID-19 will be compensated for P100,000, it added.

The families of HCWs and non-HCWs who died due to COVID-19 while in the line of duty will receive P1 million, the DBM said. — BM, GMA News