DBM: Additional P888.12 million released for health workers’ SRA

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said on Friday that it released an additional P888.12 million to fund the much-delayed special risk allowances (SRA) of both public and private healthcare workers in the country.

In a statement, the DBM said the SRAs released are for eligible public and private healthcare workers (HCWs) who are directly catering to or are in contact with COVID-19 patients from December 20, 2020 to June 30, 2021.

“This was charged from the Miscellaneous Personnel Benefits Fund and Unprogrammed Appropriations under the FY 2021 General Appropriations Act,” the DBM explained.

With this, the Budget Department said the total additional funds released by the DBM for the SRA under Administrative Order No. 42 as of date have reached P1.2 billion.

“An additional amount of P407.08 million will be charged against the FY 2021 Contingent Fund to complete the SRAs for an estimated 117,926 HCWs not to exceed P5,000 per month for the covered period and shall be on top of existing compensations as prescribed under the Magna Carta of Public Health Workers and the DOH-DBM Joint Circular No. 1, series of 2016,” the DBM said.

“Rest assured that the DBM will facilitate the prompt release of the funds for the SRA to ensure that all eligible healthcare workers will receive their rightful benefits,” it added.

The Commission (COA) flagged “deficiencies” in the use of P67.32-billion worth of COVID-19 funds, including P11.89 billion which remained unobligated as of December 31, 2020.

The DBM also said it released some P9.02 billion in June as part of the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act or Bayanihan 2, but portions of these were unused and reverted to the Bureau of the Treasury.

These can no longer be availed as the law expired in June 30, 2021. — DVM, GMA News