Go urges government to ensure services, benefits for HCWs

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Bong Go has appealed to concerned agencies to make sure that health care workers (HCWs) receive all services and benefits due them amid the recent approval of additional funds to cover the payment of the fourth batch of their COVID-19 Special Risk Allowance (SRA).

Go, who chairs the Senate health committee, stressed that health personnel are on the frontlines in the fight against COVID-19, thus, the need for the government to immediately provide what is owed to doctors, nurses and qualified medical workers.

“I enjoin our government to ensure that all benefits and services provided for by the law to our health care workers are given to them,” he said in Filipino in a statement sent to the media yesterday.

“They are our heroes during this pandemic because of their continuous service and sacrifice in saving the lives of our fellow Filipinos,” he added.

President Duterte had earlier approved the release of P1.185 billion in funds charged against the 2021 contingent fund to cover the SRA of eligible private HCWs and non-Department of Health (DOH) plantilla personnel who have yet to receive their SRA from Dec. 20, 2020 to June 30, 2021.

In response to complaints from public and private HCWs who have yet to receive their SRA, Duterte has also directed the DOH and the Department of Budget and Management to expedite the utilization of funds for the benefit of the country’s HCWs.

Go also pushed for the allocation of a total of P51 billion in the 2022 budget for the compensation of COVID-19 HCWs this year.

He stressed that the government should do everything possible to help HCWs, considering their critical role in fighting the pandemic and preserving lives.

To guarantee that their contributions and risks are adequately recognized, Go also expressed his support for extending the SRA to all HCWs working in hospitals.