DOH: P1 billion health worker COVID-19 risk allowance still unfunded

The P1 billion COVID-19 Special Risk Allowance (SRA) for health workers is still unfunded two years after the pandemic hit the country, the Department of Health (DOH) said Monday.

DOH officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire made the response when questioned by House Minority Leader France Castro of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers party-list during the DOH's presentation of its P301 billion proposed budget for 2023 before the House Appropriations panel.

"Still unfunded is the SRA of 55,844 health workers. We are discussing this with DBM (Department of Budget and Management)," Vergeire said.

"This is worth P1 billion, and we are still waiting for their response," Vergeire added.

DBM Director Sofia Abad said that the DBM was still evaluating the DOH's request for a health worker SRA.

Abad said they had asked DOH for additional requirements, and the DOH was able to submit these last September 6.

Vergeire confirmed this.

"The department (DBM) is evaluating the propriety of the claims but we have identified the potential budget source to cover the request," Abad said.

Pressed on whether the DBM had enough funds for the health worker SRA, Abad responded, "Yes, we have identified the possible source to cover the request and it will be sufficient."

Abad added, "We are evaluating the propriety of the claims to be able to process the release of funds."

At least 400 health workers have died due to COVID-19 since the pandemic hit the country in March 2020. — DVM, GMA News