RESPONDING to the earnest pleas of health workers, Senator Christopher “Bong Go” once again urged the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to act swiftly on releasing the long-overdue Health Emergency Allowance (HEA) during a hearing conducted by the Senate Committee on Health on Tuesday.

Speaking virtually during the hearing, Mary Jane Asela from Palawan articulated the collective frustrations of the barangay health workers. She directly addressed Go, saying, “Maraming salamat po sa pagkakataon po na binigay ninyo sa amin… ang sa amin po kasi, gusto lang po namin iparating na at tatanungin po kung bakit po hindi pa po namin nare-receive ‘yung amin (HEA).”

Echoing Mary Jane’s concerns, Irenea Acosta, President of the Zamboanga del Norte Chapter of the Philippine League of Government and Private Midwives Inc., highlighted the ongoing struggle of midwives to receive their HEA for the years 2021, 2022, and 2023.

In response, Go reassured the health workers of his commitment to champion their cause. He emphasized their crucial role during the pandemic and insisted on the injustice of their unpaid allowances.

“Pinagpawisan nila, hindi pa nababayaran until now… since 2021. Services rendered na po ito. Pinaghirapan ito ng mga health workers natin. Wala na po silang ibang matakbuhan. Nananawagan sila, kahit saan po kami pumunta… sinisigaw, ‘Health Emergency Allowance’,” Go stated.

Go met the healthcare workers in his recent engagements as he went around the country to provide support to various sectors.

DOH Secretary Teodoro Herbosa Jr. expressed gratitude for the essential contributions of health workers, particularly in combating the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Herbosa then proceeded to provide a comprehensive overview of the financial disbursements and outstanding needs within the healthcare sector.

He revealed that the total funding requirement for compensating health workers amounted to P103.5 billion. The DBM has disbursed P76.2 billion. The breakdown of disbursements includes P22.9 billion allocated in 2021, fully disbursed; an additional P30.9 billion provided in 2022, with the majority disbursed at nearly 98%; and an allocation of P22.4 billion pesos in 2023, with only P22 billion obligated thus far.

The 2024 DOH budget has a programmed allocation of P19.962 billion for the HEA, which is currently a pending disbursement, according to Herbosa.

In a plea for clarity, Ronald Ignacio, spokesperson for the United Private Hospital Unions of the Philippines, addressed the confusion surrounding the allocation and usage of the funds.

Herbosa clarified that the pending disbursement awaited the Notice of Cash Allocation, which would initiate funds transfer to the respective Community Health Departments (CHDs) for distribution.

Meanwhile, Go echoed Ignacio’s concerns and emphasized the urgency of prioritizing HEA disbursements amidst the substantial unprogrammed budget. With the unprogrammed budget under the 2024 General Appropriations Act amounting to a staggering PP731 billion, Go highlighted the disproportionality of allocating a mere PP2 billion for the HEA, representing less than 1% of the total unprogrammed funds.

He underscored the critical role of medical frontliners and urged officials to expedite the release of the HEA to address their immediate needs.

Go then renewed his plea to the DOH and DBM, urging them to expedite the allocated funds earmarked for this critical financial support.