More benefits for health workers, Covid-19 heroes’ day sought

FILE: A senior citizen receives his first Moderna vaccine from health worker Maria Cricelda Felizardo during the vaccination drive at the second floor of Robinson Place Dasmarinas, Emilio Aguinaldo Highway, corner Governor’s Drive, Sitio Palapala, Dasmariñas City, Cavite on Thursday (August 19, 2021). (PNA photo by Gil Calinga)

By Jose Cielito Reganit, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert Lee on Thursday lauded the government’s “much-awaited” release of the last tranche of the health emergency allowance (HEA) for healthcare workers who worked during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We thank President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for fulfilling the promise made to our frontline healthcare workers by finally releasing this much-awaited allowance that has long been due them,” Lee said in a news release.

“Ang allowance na ito ay pagkilala sa kabayanihan ng ating healthcare workers kahit na alam nating hindi matutumbasan ng pera ang kanilang sakripisyo nang piliin nilang magsilbi sa bayan at sa kapwa noong kasagsagan ng pandemya sa kabila ng peligro sa kanilang kaligtasan (This allowance recognizes the heroism of our healthcare workers, even if we know that money cannot compensate their sacrifices when they chose to serve the country and their fellowmen at the height of the pandemic amid the safety risks),” Lee said.

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) released the remaining PHP27.453 billion HEA on July 5.

The amount covers the 5,039,926 unpaid HEA and 4,283 Covid-19 sickness and death compensation claims of eligible healthcare and non-healthcare workers who served the country during the pandemic.

Lee said that while the allowance release is commendable, much work remains to improve the working conditions and benefits for the healthcare workers.

“Deserve ng ating mga healthcare workers ang mas magandang sahod at benepisyo (Our healthcare workers deserve better salary and benefits). They deserve better than waiting for years to receive their allowances and suffering from poor working conditions,” the Bicolano lawmaker said.

“Karapatan ng bawat isa ang patas, mapagmalasakit at dekalidad na healthcare service. Malaking papel ang ginagampanan at patuloy na gagampanan ng healthcare workers para makamit ang maayos na serbisyong pangkalusugan kaya hindi sila dapat napag-iiwanan at napapabayaan (Everybody has the right to equitable, compassionate and quality healthcare service. Healthcare workers play a big role in achieving this, that’s why they should not be neglected and left behind),” he said.

Lee also urged the House of Representatives to approve House Bill No. 6335, or the “Filipino Covid-19 Health Care Heroes Remembrance Act,” declaring March 22 of every year as a special working holiday in remembrance of the heroism of the frontliners during the pandemic in the Philippines and around the world.

On March 22, 2020, Dr. Romeo Gregorio “Greg” Macasaet became the first healthcare worker in the Philippines to die of Covid-19. An anesthesiologist at the Manila Doctors Hospital, he worked selflessly and tirelessly to treat Covid-19 patients in the emergency room until he himself became ill.

As of January 2022, some 29,368 health care workers contracted the virus, from which 117 died.

“Our healthcare workers fought to save as many lives as they could working with whatever information and medical intervention they know and the supplies and equipment they have. The roles that they played have been key to us weathering the worst of the Covid-19 pandemic as a country, many among them losing their lives in the line of duty,” he said.

“We must never forget the lessons of the past and remember those who served our country during the darkest days of this generation. Our Covid-19 medical frontliners deserve to take their place in our country’s, and the world’s history and their heroism be memorialized to serve as inspiration to future generations of Filipinos,” Lee said.