180K healthcare workers yet to receive One COVID-19 Allowance

At least 180,000 healthcare workers in private hospitals and local government units (LGU) have yet to receive their One COVID-19 Allowance (OCA).

According to Tina Panganiban-Perez’s report on “24 Oras”, the Department of Health (DOH) said around P5.5 billion has been released from January to March 2022 for more than 207,118 healthcare workers in 3,123 health facilities.

“Ang part sa difficulty trying to disburse the funds towards the local government units at saka privates is ‘yung liquidation report," DOH Undersecretary Leopoldo Vega said.

"Kasi we also need liquidation reports coming from them in terms of how they were able to disburse of the funds given,” he added.

Private Hospitals Association Philippines (PHAPI) president Dr. Jose de Grano, on the other hand, reported that majority of private hospitals have yet to receive their OCA.

“Yun nga po, actually 'yun din ang kinakalungkot ng ating mga healthcare workers. Lagi pong sinasabi ng DOH okay na-release na namin, sabi ng Department of Budget and Management (DBM) narelease na 'yung P7.9 billion pero nasaan na ‘yan?” the PHAPI president stressed.

(That is actually what our healthcare workers are sad about. The DOH said they have released it, the DBM said that the P7.9 billion has been released but where is it?)

De Grano said they are coordinating with the DOH for the release of the COVID-19 allowance for healthcare workers.

Last February, the DBM said it had released P7.92 billion for the allowance of healthcare workers and other personnel involved in the COVID-19 response.

In 2021, a number of healthcare workers reported that they have yet to receive allowances for the services rendered amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The DOH, however, welcomed the coordination of the hospitals including members of PHAPI for the fast distribution of OCA to healthcare workers.

“For the DOH Centers for Health Development (DOH-CHDs) to transfer funds to private hospitals, rules and regulations require a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) and full accounting or liquidation of any funds previously given,” the Health department said in a statement.

“DOH-CHDs welcome the submission of names of the private hospitals encountering difficulties so that the issues can be addressed immediately,” it added.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier signed into law a measure mandating continuous benefits to all healthcare workers in the country during the COVID-19 pandemic and other future public health emergencies. —Richa Noriega/NB, GMA News