Some lawmakers are not convinced by Department of Health (DOH) data that only more than 500,000 healthcare workers in the country should be given the corresponding benefits in the fight against COVID-19.
According to Marikina 2nd District Rep. Stella Quimbo, the DOH should re-evaluate their data on who should be the beneficiaries to provide all eligible beneficiaries and not get to the point where someone threatens to resign due to unprovided benefits.
At the last hearing on Tuesday, Quimbo noted that out of more than 526,547 healthcare workers identified by the DOH, only 384,159 received allowances and benefits under Bayanihan 2.
According to DOH Assistant Secretary Mylin Beltran, although the total number of healthcare workers in the country may actually be larger, not all of them can receive benefits under the law.
“Even if we have the total number of public and private healthcare workers, we know that in the law, we are also saying and in our administrative issuances joint circulars at that with DBM, we also know that not all private healthcare facilities are entitled. Meaning the private healthcare facilities should be certified and eligible to response to COVID-19 patients,” said Beltran.
“Not 100% of all the private health facilities nationwide are eligible to receive this compensation or benefits.”
Solons not convinced by DOH data on health workers
But Quimbo stressed the true intention of the passed Bayanihan Law. He appealed to the DOH leadership to change its mindset in treating healthcare workers.
Quimbo also investigated P6.4 billion “unused” DOH funds from the P13.5 billion budget allocated to pay healthcare workers under Bayanihan 2.
Quimbo asked the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) how much of the P13.5 billion is left for healthcare workers, as she said many are still unpaid.
According to DBM officer-in-charge Tina Canda, there is P6.4 billion left, but the money has been returned to the National Treasury after Bayanihan 2 fell.
Quimbo asked if there is still a claim for P6.4 billion to be paid to healthcare workers who have not yet received allowances and benefits. Canda said a new law is needed from Congress to use such an amount.
At the last hearing on Tuesday, Quimbo noted that out of the more than 526,547 health care workers identified by the DOH, only 384,159 received allowances and benefits under Bayanihan 2.
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