Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 1)— President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has asked authorities to ensure the continued release of COVID-19 allowances for health workers despite the non-extension of the pandemic state of calamity in the country, Malacañang said Wednesday.
“Tuloy-tuloy ‘yan,” Marcos, as quoted by the Presidential Communications Office, said in a meeting with health officials in the Palace.
“‘Yung mga health workers, ‘yung allowance nila ay pinag-aralan namin nang mabuti, kahit hindi itinutuloy ang state of calamity ay hindi maapektuhan ang pagbayad doon sa ating mga health workers ng kanilang mga benefits,” he added.
[Translation: That will continue. We thoroughly studied the allowances of health workers, that even if the state of calamity won’t continue, their pay and benefits will not be affected.]
The Department of Health (DOH) previously urged Marcos to extend the state of calamity in the country, which was slated to end on Dec. 31, 2022.
As of publishing, Malacañang has yet to release a formal announcement on the matter. DOH officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire also said in a media forum last week that the agency has not yet received an official response to its proposal.
RELATED: Marcos ‘very, very hesitant’ to extend COVID-19 state of calamity
The chief executive, during the meeting, pointed out the improvement in COVID-19 metrics in the country — particularly the declining number of cases and lower hospitalization rates.
“So dapat naman eh mag-adjust din tayo doon sa kung ano ba talaga ang scientific na assessment doon sa sitwasyon ng COVID,” Marcos said.
[Translation: So we need to adjust based on the scientific assessment on the COVID situation.]
Over 4,000,000 coronavirus infections have been reported nationwide as of latest DOH data.
