COVID-19, future health emergencies frontliners' benefits bill ratified

The Senate and the House of Representatives on Wednesday ratified the bicameral conference committee report on the measure granting benefits and allowances to frontliners during the COVID-19 pandemic and future public health emergencies.

Senator Sonny Angara, chairperson of the Senate’s contingent to the bicameral conference committee, said the lawmakers agreed to expand the coverage of the benefits as the original version covered only healthcare workers who are at the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The bicam adopted the version of the House of Representatives, which included other public health emergencies.

“It was realized that we may, in the future, face other public health emergencies such as those caused by bioterrorism, appearance of the previously controlled biological toxin, natural disaster, chemical attack or accidentally released and other possible occurrences,” he said.

The bicam included Barangay Health Workers (BHW) assigned at swabbing and vaccination sites, those administering medical assistance, and those who are part of the Barangay Health Emergency Response Team in the coverage of the COVID-19 benefits.

Medical allies, medical administrative support assigned in hospitals, health facilities, laboratories, medical or temporary treatment and monitoring facilities or vaccination sites will likewise be covered by the measure.

Angara said the proposed law will follow the “One COVID-19 allowance” approach as proposed by the Department of Health to allow “improved administrative efficiency and ease.”

The reconciled bill expands the base of health and non-health care workers eligible to receive the benefit, he added.

Angara said the bicam adopted a proposal to create an ad hoc grievance board which is tasked with receiving, investigating, adjudicating, and recommending further action relating to any complaints or failure to receive any of the stipulated benefits.—LDF, GMA News