AROUND P50 billion that the Department of Health (DOH) had allocated for the benefits and allowances of healthcare workers was disapproved and removed by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) from the proposed DOH budget for 2022.
DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III said the DBM had slashed their proposed P73.99 billion budget for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) response to just P19.68 billion.
Among those removed from the budget was the P50.41 billion allotted for healthcare workers (HCWs). The proposed DOH budget is P224 billion.
During the deliberation on the DOH budget by the House of Representatives committee on appropriations Thursday, September 2, 2021, Duque said the budget for HCWs included the special risk allowance (SRA), hazard pay, meals, accommodation and transportation (MAT) allowance, and sickness and death benefit compensation.
Marikina City Representative Stella Quimbo said the budget is too low considering that the DBM has released at least P160 billion over the past 14 months to fund the government’s Covid-19 efforts.
She expressed deep concern over the welfare of the HCWs and asked Duque how much longer the Covid-19 pandemic will take.
“Malamang ito ay abutin pa ng isa o dalawang taon batay sa mga projections ng WHO (World Health Organization) at ng iba pang grupo ng mga eksperto,” said Quimbo.
On Wednesday, September 1, 2021, also during a budget hearing, Duque said they were relying on the proposed Bayanihan 3 bill for the benefits and allowances for HCWs.
However, Quimbo pointed out that the bill is still in “hanging balance” before the Senate.
“Hindi tayo sure kung 'yan ay magiging batas,” she said.
As urged by Quimbo, Duque said they will submit to the committee their original budget proposal for Covid-19 response for possible adjustment in the budget.
HCWs have been conducting various protest actions in several parts of the country to complain about their unreleased benefits and allowances.
The DOH earlier said the government released nearly P17 billion under the Bayanihan 1 and 2 for the compensation of HCWs. (SunStar Philippines)