NURSE volunteers serving the front line are not asked to sign waivers, the Department of Health (DOH)-Cordillera clarified.
The DOH regional office said it never issued any notices clearing the agency from any responsibility should a nurse contract the new coronavirus while at work.
Dr. Amelita Pangilinan, DOH-Cordillera director, said DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III earlier stated that the health department does not hand out waiver in the contract of service to volunteer nurses.
"We appeal to the public again to never share unverified information and follow guidelines and mandates of your health officials and local governments," Pangilinan added.
The DOH earlier released Department Memorandum 2020-0153, which prescribes interim guidelines for emergency hiring of health personnel in select hospitals and other health facilities to expand the country's response to the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) health emergency.
"The hiring of health personnel is primarily to augment our workforce in health facilities in the regions, provinces, or cities that manage Covid-19 cases," Duque said in a statement.
The DOH Administrative Service-Personnel Administration Division (AD-PAD) will approve the hiring and deployment of health personnel based on the needs assessment submitted by the DOH facilities, or through their respective Centers for Health Development (CHD) or by the Ministry of Health of Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MOH-Barmm).
Upon approval, said facilities may proceed with the recruitment and hiring process.
Under the emergency hiring order, a health personnel will be entitled to a monthly salary compensation with 20 percent premium based on the basic salary, regardless of the number of quarantine days per month; protective personal equipment (PPEs); board and lodging while on duty or on quarantine; psychosocial support, as needed; Continuing Professional Development (CPD) units, which may be granted through Health Human Resource Development Bureau (HHRDB) certification; medico-legal assistance; and preferential evaluation for DOH vacancies, depending on qualifications.
Priority will be given to those who signed up as volunteers for the Covid-19 response in DOH sites.
Additionally, health personnel will receive a hazard pay of P500 per day whether on duty or under required quarantine; GSIS group insurance (one time premium of P500); benefits under the Bayanihan We Heal As One Act such as PhilHealth hospitalization benefits, P100,000 in case of infirmity due to Covid-19 and P1,000,000 in case of death; and a communication and transportation allowance of P1,000 per month.
Public health workers, who are exposed to health risk in the light of the pandemic, are also eligible to receive one-time special risk allowance of up to 25 percent of their monthly basic pay, subject to the provisions of Administrative Order 28 released April 6.
An initial 857 health care workers will be deployed in the three designated Covid-19 referral hospitals.