📷MayDay Multimedia file photo
The Alliance of Health Workers welcomes but not surprised with President Marcos Jr.’s directive to fully release the unpaid Health Emergency Allowance to all health workers amounting to P27 billion to be released today, July 5, 2024.
According to Robert Mendoza, AHW national president, Why is it only now? If there was funding available all along. The timing of the release of long overdue benefits is very timely to the upcoming State of the Nation Address by the president. Is it because the administration just wants to showcase his accomplishments rather than addressing the urgent needs of health workers.”
“We hope that all health workers in private and LGU hospitals and health facilities will be fully paid of their much deserved HEA because during our dialogue with DBM Secretary Pangandaman last April 11, 2024, DOH has not yet complied with the final lists and mapping of paid and unpaid health workers of their COVID-19 allowances.”
The release of the HEA is a significant victory for our health workers who have been at the forefront of the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic. These dedicated individuals have worked selflessly to provide care and support to patients, often putting their own health and their family’s safety at risk.
“More so, the delayed release of COVID-19 benefits, low wages, severe understaffing, job insecurity are the major factors why many from our ranks file an early retirement, resign and seek better opportunities abroad. Worst, some died without receiving the much-deserved Health Emergency Allowance,” said Cristy Donguines, a nurse and AHW secretary general.
AHW believes that it is health workers’ strong unity, collective action and continuous and tireless insistence had pushed the DOH, DBM and Marcos Jr. administration to release COVID-19 allowances.
Health workers will join the people’s SONA on July 22, 2024 to convey their legitimate demands to the Marcos Jr. Administration. They are united with their demand for living wage, just benefits, job security, mass hiring of health workers and the right to health of the people. #
