Health workers to get P19.9-billion emergency allowance benefits — DBM

Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said health workers would get their health emergency allowance (HEA) with the P19.9 billion budget set aside for 2024.

“We are dedicated to ensuring that our healthcare workers are equipped to serve our people, especially during times of crisis. This includes the provision of HEA to support their invaluable contributions to public health,” Pangandaman said during a recent meeting with officials of the Alliance of Health Workers.

The Budget chief said a total of P91.2 billion had been allocated for Public Health Emergency Benefits and Allowances (PHEBA) from 2021 to 2023, and disbursed to the Department of Health (DOH) in staggered releases.

The released fund for PHEBA included some P73.26 billion for HEA/One COVID-19 Allowance, P12.90 billion for Special Risk Allowance, P3.65 billion for COVID-19 Sickness and Death Compensation, and P1.47 billion for other benefits, such as meal, accommodation, and transportation allowance.

Pangandaman, however, said that of the amount disbursed, only around P64 billion had been distributed by the DOH.  She urged the department to fast-track the computation of HEA claims through a mapping system.

“Alam n’yo po, lalo na po ngayon sa administrasyon po ng Pangulong Bongbong Marcos, ang utos po sa akin, ilabas ang budget. Wala naman po tayong reason para i-hold ‘yung budget dahil gusto po natin makarating ‘yan nang mas mabilis sa mga kababayan natin. So, day 1 po, day 1 ng taon, ni-release ko na ang pondo sa mga Departments,” she said in a news release.

Pangandaman appealed anew to DOH to finalize its HEA mapping.

“Meron po tayong tinatawag na HEA mapping po sana. Para sana makita po natin ‘yung mga nabigyan at saka 'di nabigyan, para mas madali po makita doon kung ano po ang magiging balanse natin,” she said. —LDF, GMA Integrated News