‘More efficient release of special risk allowance needed’

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Bong Go appealed to the Department of Health (DOH) to study the possibility of expanding the provision of the special risk allowance (SRA) to all health workers serving in the frontlines during the COVID-19 crisis.

Interviewed on Sunday, Go, chairman of the Senate committee on health, reminded the DOH to ensure that health workers are sufficiently supported by taking the necessary steps to address any impediment that may prevent the timely release of SRA and other forms of support.

“For me, let’s study carefully. I am appealing to the DOH to study carefully. Let us give importance to these health workers, whether in private or public hospitals, because they are the ones in the trenches of this war. COVID-19 is the enemy and the lives of health workers are at stake here,” Go said.

He explained that the Bayanihan 2 Act limits the provision of the SRA to health workers in “direct contact with COVID-19 patients.”

He, however, argued that given the number of cases in hospitals and health facilities, almost all health workers can fall within the scope of the definition.

“The DOH’s position is that the SRA may be abused, so only those exposed to COVID-19 should be granted. As for me, it is difficult to determine who is exposed,” said Go.

“When you come to the hospital, you can’t tell. Once you are inside, you are prone and can be considered exposed as well. You can’t say that there is no virus on the floor you passed because we can’t see the enemy,” he added.

The DOH disclosed that it initially proposed to the DBM a total of P50.4 billion for 365,000 public and private health workers and their COVID-19 SRA, hazard pay, transport, insurance, accommodation or meals for a period of 12 months.

In particular, SRA has a funding requirement amounting to P18.03 billion or P1.5 billion per month for a total of 300,500 health workers.

Meanwhile, the DOH budget under the 2022 National Expenditure Program includes P3.8 billion for emergency hiring of human resources in health facilities for COVID-19 response. The figure includes provisions for their SRA, active hazard duty pay and salaries.

In light of this, Go vowed to ensure that the DOH is adequately funded in the next fiscal year.

He expressed concern over the impacts of any more delays in the release of SRA and underscored its importance in helping boost the morale of health workers whose contributions to the COVID-19 response can’t be understated.

He likewise called on the government to grant more assistance and protection to health workers, such as the provision of personal protective equipment, inclusion in the COVID-19 testing protocol and additional pay.

As vice chair of the Senate committee on finance, he fought for the inclusion of additional funds in the 2020 budget to provide for the salary increase of public nurses.