THE Senate and the House of Representatives ratified the proposed bill that would grant assured benefits and allowances to frontliners during pandemics and other public health emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
The measure was already sent to Malacañang for President Rodrigo Duterte’s signature for it to be enacted into law.
Under the bill, public and private healthcare workers in hospitals or medical facilities are not the only ones who will receive the benefits and allowances, according to Senator Sonny Angara, chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance.
He said based on recommendations from the House, even barangay health workers assigned in health facilities such as for swabbing and at vaccination sites and barangay health emergency response team are also assured to receive the benefits and allowances.
The bill also covers even the non-healthcare that provide medical and non-medical support services in hospitals, health facilities, laboratories, quarantine facilities and vaccination sites.
This means even security guards, janitors, cooks and other staff who may be exposed to COVID-19.
Also to be enacted into law is the One-COVID-19 allowance wherein the special risk allowance and meals, accommodation and transportation allowance will be consolidated, and the provision will depend on the level of risk that the healthcare worker will be exposed to, whether low-risk, medium-risk or high risk.
An ad hoc grievance board will also be created that will be tasked to investigate and resolve complaints on receipt and non-receipt of benefits.
The proposed bill also has a provision where any shortage or deficiency in the payment of benefits to health workers last 2021 and this year 2022 will be supplemented in the next national budget.