Before approving the 2022 national budget, at least three senators would like to hear the Department of Health (DOH’s) and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM’s) explanations on the alleged continued delay in the release of medical workers’ special risk allowances (SRA).
During the continuation of the Senate Blue Ribbon probe into the COVID-19 supplies, representatives of various medical workers’ groups voiced their woes on the release of their benefits.
St. Luke’s Medical Center (GC) Employees Union Benjie Foscablo told the Senate panel that for the past five months they have not received the meal, accommodation, and transportation (MAT) benefits provided by the Bayanihan laws.
Melbert Reyes of the Philippine Nurses Association (PNA) said some nurses only received P900 in benefits since the beginning of the pandemic.
“There are times na may isang nurse na pumunta sa amin, ang buong hospital nila ang na-recieve lang nila ay P900 pesos since the beginning of the pandemic, nandoon na po sila,” he said.
(There was a time when one nurse brought up their concern with us, the whole hospital received P900 pesos even though they were there since the beginning of the pandemic.)
“They actually called DOH and asked about that matter. Ang sabi ng DOH eh nabigay na po ang pondo sa hospital. Siguro the DOH should look into the monitoring ng implementation baka kasi nabigay na pero hindi maayos ang pag-implement,” he added.
(They called DOH and asked [about] that matter. What the DOH said is they released the funds to the hospital. Maybe the DOH should look into the monitoring of the implementation because it might be released to them but there are problems in the implementation.)
Senator Francis Pangilinan then suggested that the committee seek the presence of the DOH and DBM secretaries when they again deliberate on the P5-trillion 2022 General Appropriations Bill.
“If I may suggest, because we will be acting on the budget when we resume sessions perhaps we can invite the Secretary of Health and the Secretary of Budget before we act or vote on the general appropriation measure on December 1,” Pangilinan said.
“Baka maaring magpaliwnag sila sa sitwasyon ng ating mga (They might want to explain the situation of our) health workers before we act and approve the budget on Wednesday. So that we can get clarification prior to our acting on the 2022 budget,” he added.
Senators Richard Gordon and Risa Hontiveros have backed Pangilinan’s suggestion. — DVM, GMA News
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