Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 7) — Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on Wednesday requested President Rodrigo Duterte to issue an administrative order for the distribution of the meals, accommodation, and transportation allowances of health workers.
Duque explained an administrative order is needed because the allowances were promised under Bayanihan to Recover as One Act, which expired months ago. A copy of the administrative order was given to Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea for the President’s approval.
“Hinihiling namin ang approval ninyo Mr. President upang aming maibigay ang allowance para sa ating mga manggagawang pangkalusugan,” Duque said during the President’s public address.
[Translation: We are asking for your approval Mr. President, so that we can distribute the allowance for our healthcare workers.]
In total, ₱2.51 billion is needed to fund the allowances of 423,000 health workers for the period of Sept. 15, 2020 to Dec. 19, 2020. Each will receive ₱2,000 per month.
Duque said the budget may be sourced from the savings of the Department of Health and the contingency fund of the Office of the President.
