July 04, 2024 - In response to President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s directive, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) announced the release of P27 billion for the settlement of unpaid Health Emergency Allowances (HEA) for healthcare workers. Secretary Amenah "Mina" F. Pangandaman confirmed the allocation will be released by July 5, 2024.
This comes after the Department of Health (DOH) officially requested P27.453 billion in May to cover remaining HEA claims and COVID-19 sickness and death compensation for healthcare and non-healthcare workers. The same amount was proposed for inclusion in the DOH's FY 2025 budget.
"Fulfilling the President's directive, we will release the additional P27 billion requested by DOH by Friday," Secretary Pangandaman said. "This is a promise kept. Even though the DOH requested it for 2025, the DBM has made an effort to release it earlier. Our healthcare workers deserve this."
The DBM has already released a total of P91.283 billion to the DOH for Public Health Emergency Benefits and Allowances (PHEBA) since 2021. This covers all benefits for healthcare workers, including HEA, Special Risk Allowance (SRA), compensation for COVID-19 sickness and death, and additional allowances for meals, accommodation, and transportation.