The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) is set to release P27 billion today, July 5, to settle all unpaid Health Emergency Allowance (HEA) claims of healthcare workers who responded during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Magandang balita po. Ilalabas po natin ang 27 billion pesos na arrears for the HEA this Friday, July 5, 2024, Wala na po tayong utang sa ating mga health emergency professionals and workers,” DBM Secretary Amenah “Mina” F. Pangandaman announced during a press briefing following the inauguration of the DBM-CAR Regional Office in Baguio City on Thursday, July 4, 2024.
She said that the release of the funds fulfills the promise made by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) last year.
“Ito po ay pangako ng ating Pangulo noon pa pong SONA nung nakaraang taon. Masaya po tayo na maibibigay na natin kung ano po ang kinakailangang maibayad sa ating mga health workers na tumulong sa atin noong panahon ng pandemic,” Pangandaman said.
The amount of P27.453 billion will cover the payment of 5,039,926 remaining validated unpaid HEA and 4,283 Covid-19 sickness and death compensation claims of eligible healthcare and non-healthcare workers.
According to the DBM, a total of P91.283 billion has been released to the DOH for the Public Health Emergency Benefits and Allowances (PHEBA), covering all benefits for healthcare workers from 2021 to 2023. Of this amount, P73.261 billion has been allocated specifically for HEA.
PHEBA includes Special Risk Allowance, compensation for Covid-19 sickness and death, and additional benefits like meals, accommodation and transportation allowances for healthcare workers. PIA – CAR
