Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 6) — Families of health workers who succumbed to COVID-19 finally got the ₱1 million death benefit as the Department of Health works on meeting the June 9 deadline for compensating medical frontliners.
The Health Department said they delivered the money to the families of 30 healthcare workers as of Saturday.
“We are waiting for the submission of [documents] from the heirs of the remaining two. The checks are ready already. Once submitted, the checks will be immediately delivered,” the agency said in a statement, noting that they are eyeing to also give the cash benefit within the day.
Aside from the 32 health workers who died from the coronavirus disease, those with “severe” COVID-19 infection are entitled to a ₱100,000 sickness benefit under the Bayanihan to Heal As One Act.
The Health Department said 10 out of 40 health workers have received the cash assistance, adding that they are waiting for the submission of documents from the other claimants. Earlier, the DOH said 79 healthcare workers who fell severely ill will receive ₱100,000.
“Angry and frustrated” over the delay in the compensation of health workers infected with COVID-19, President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday gave health authorities until June 9 to release the money. The ultimatum was in response to the revelation made in a Senate hearing this week that no infected healthcare worker had received the cash benefits mandated under the Bayanihan to Heal As One Act, which was passed in March.
Health Spokesperson Maria Rosario Vergeire explained that they had to look for funding, but recently decided to use the agency’s ₱100 million Medical Assistance Fund.
Duterte also threatened to sack officials responsible for the delay, while sparing Health Secretary Francisco Duque III from the blame.
The World Health Organization in April sounded the alarm over the high infection rate among healthcare workers in the Philippines, which the government said has improved following the purchase of more personal protective equipment for frontliners.
