House OKs on 2nd reading bill seeking continuous benefits for health workers

The House of Representatives on Wednesday approved on second reading a measure that seeks to provide continuous benefits to public and private health workers, including barangay health workers, during the COVID-19 pandemic and future health emergencies.

House Bill 10701 seeks to advance the welfare of healthcare workers by providing them with appropriate and continuous benefits during national public health emergencies to ensure their continued services to the public and prevent the spread of any disease.

“While their conviction to put COVID-19 at bay and their dedication to protect the Filipino public from dreaded virus is priceless, they must have some form recompense from the government in recognition of their sacrifices which put their lives at risk of infection and probably death,” said Representative Cheryl Deloso-Montalla, sponsor of the measure.

Montalla said that the key provisions of this bill include granting Special Risk Allowance (SRA) to health workers for every month of service during a state of public health emergency.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier approved the release of some P1.185 billion from government coffers to pay special risk allowances to healthcare workers in public and private hospitals.

Those deployed in low-risk areas will be given at least P3,000; those in medium-risk areas will receive P6,000; and those in high-risk areas will get P9,000.

The amount may be increased by the Department of Health (DOH), subject to the approval of the President and in consultation with the Department of Budget and Management.

The bill states that in case of death, P1 million shall be provided to the heirs of the covered individuals while in case of sickness, for a severe or critical case, P100,000 shall be provided to them.

Further, those with mild or moderate cases will be given P15,000.

The compensation provided in the proposed measure shall be given to the beneficiaries not later than three months after the date of confinement or death.

The measure also provides for the regular COVID-19 testing of health workers covered by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth). The frequency will be determined by the DOH.

“This also provides for the retroactive application of the said benefits from July 1, 2021 and shall remain in full force in effect during the state of national public health emergency until lifted by the President,” Montalla added.

The Senate on Tuesday also approved on second reading Senate Bill 2421, which also provides COVID-19 compensation for sickness and death to non-medical workers and outsourced personnel hired under institutional or individual contract service or job order basis and assigned in health facilities that are involved in COVID-19 response.

The House is targeting to enforce the measure before they take a session break in February to make way for the Eleksyon 2022 campaign period. — BM, GMA News