The UNI Global Union–Philippine Liaison Council (UNI-PLC) and the National Federation of Barangay Health Workers (NFBHW) on Thursday criticized the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) for declaring the government’s Health Emergency Allowance (HEA) obligations “completed,” despite thousands of unpaid and excluded barangay health workers (BHWs) nationwide.
DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman earlier announced the release of ₱6.8 billion to settle what the agency described as the “final balance” of HEA claims. But UNI-PLC and NFBHW said this pronouncement is far from reality.
In a nationwide survey and consultation conducted in August 2025 across 119 municipalities and cities, covering 17,681 BHWs, the groups found average arrears of 16 months—totaling an estimated ₱1.65 billion. In 43 localities, BHWs reported as much as 25 months of unpaid HEA, with some not receiving a single peso since the pandemic began in 2020.
The groups stressed that the problem lies not only in insufficient funds but also in the exclusion of thousands of BHWs from the official DOH lists. They cited cases where entire cities or municipalities, such as Makati City (200 BHWs) and Sibalom, Antique (178 BHWs), were left out, while in Sto. Domingo, Nueva Ecija, less than two-thirds of the 118 workers were recognized.
“The sad truth is that many BHWs have not received their hazard pay at all because they were excluded from the beneficiary lists. And when they try to appeal, they are met with silence,” the groups said.
They also pointed out that the grievance mechanism under R.A. 11712 has failed, convening only once and excluding BHW representatives. Instead, local health officers—often accused of delisting workers—sit on the boards, leaving BHWs “cornered and voiceless.”
UNI-PLC President Roland De La Cruz warned DBM against “closing the books” on HEA while thousands remain unpaid. NFBHW leaders likewise appealed to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to intervene and ensure accountability.
“Every peso of unpaid HEA is not just a broken promise, it is stolen justice from the very workers who stood guard in our barangays during the darkest days of the pandemic,” the groups said, as they backed House Resolution No. 85 seeking a congressional probe.