Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 24) – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday vowed to distribute long overdue COVID-19 benefits to health care workers.
“Upang masuklian naman natin ang kanilang naging sakripisyo nung pandemya, ipapamahagi na sa kanila ang kanilang COVID health emergency allowance at iba pang nabinbing benepisyo,” Marcos said in his second State of the Nation Address.
[Translation: In order for us to pay back their sacrifices during the pandemic, their COVID health emergency allowance and other pending benefits will be distributed.]
Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said he will look into the delayed distribution of benefits.
The Department of Health said 805,000 workers have yet to receive their emergency allowance and COVID-19 compensation.
READ: DOH: More funds needed for COVID-19 allowance of 805K health workers
In April 2022, then President Rodrigo Duterte signed into law the Public Health Emergency Benefits and Allowances for Health Care Workers Act, which grants benefits and allowances to health workers in service during the COVID-19 pandemic and future emergencies.
In October 2022, the Budget Department released ₱11.5 billion in benefits of health care workers.
Marcos lifted the COVID-19 public health emergency on July 21, easing remaining restrictions including the mandatory wearing of face masks inside medical facilities and in public transportation.
The proclamation also revoked orders and issuances that were in effect during the state of public health emergency, except for all emergency use authorization issued by the Food and Drug Administration that will remain valid for another year “for the sole purpose of exhausting the remaining vaccines.”
