Marcos: P59.8-B health emergency allowance distributed to medical frontliners

At least P59.8 billion has been distributed to medical frontline workers for their health emergency allowance during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. 

In a Facebook post, Marcos said the amount was 78.92% of the COVID-19 health emergency allowance allotted by the government to health workers.

The President announced this following the celebration of Health Workers' Day on Tuesday as he acknowledged the sacrifices and services of the health workers. 

''Mas pinahahalagahan natin ang sakripisyo ng ating mga frontliner na naglilingkod nang buong puso at nagpapakita sa mundo ng galing at malasakit ng Pinoy,'' Marcos said. 

(We value the sacrifices of our frontliners who wholeheartedly serve and show the world the talent and concern of Filipinos.)

Health workers from various hospitals in Metro Manila on Tuesday gathered and marched to Mendiola as they demanded a starting salary of P33,000 for public and private health workers.

They also urged for the release of benefits, job security among their ranks, and mass hiring of permanent health workers to augment the severe understaffing in public hospitals. —Anna Felicia Bajo/KBK, GMA Integrated News