Families of 26 fallen healthcare workers get P1-M aid

Citing recent data from the Department of Health (DOH), Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said families of 26 out of the 30 healthcare workers who died of Covid-19 have already received their compensation. (File Photo:
Luis Melendez/Unsplash)

MANILA – Families of 26 healthcare workers who have died of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) have received PHP1 million worth of compensation each from the government, Malacañang said on Tuesday.

Citing recent data from the Department of Health (DOH), Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said families of 26 out of the 30 healthcare workers who died of Covid-19 have already received their compensation.

He said families of four healthcare workers need to submit special power of attorney (SPA) to receive the compensation.

There are two healthcare workers delisted from the list because they are not eligible for the compensation while another two reside abroad, he added.

As for healthcare workers who fell severely ill due to Covid-19, Roque said 17 out of 18 checks worth PHP100,000 each have been delivered while one is ready for pickup.

Roque expressed confidence that all healthcare workers who contracted coronavirus disease (Covid-19) will receive their compensation on its scheduled deadline on Tuesday.

“The President issued a deadline and so far wala namang departamento na hindi po nagagawa yung dapat gawin (there is no department that was unable to fulfill what they needed to do) within the deadline,” he said in a virtual presser.

Earlier, President Rodrigo Duterte gave the DOH until June 9 to finish distributing benefits to sick and fallen healthcare workers as mandated by the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act or Republic Act (RA) 11469.

Duterte also ordered Health Secretary Francisco Duque III to form a new team to oversee the distribution of benefits to healthcare workers.

“Babantayin pa rin natin ito (We will continue to monitor this). The President gave them until today (Tuesday) to completely deliver the benefits accorded to our front-liners,” he said.

Earlier, Health Undersecretary and Spokesperson Maria Rosario Vergeire said the DOH tapped the PHP100-million Medical Assistance Fund as a source of the healthcare workers’ compensation.

As of June 1, there have been 2,669 healthcare workers infected with Covid-19, while 32 have died.

Last April, the World Health Organization (WHO) described the high number of healthcare workers in the Philippines infected with Covid-19 as “worrisome.

”

The WHO emphasized the importance of providing enough personal protective gear (PPE) for healthcare workers.