Bong Go advocates for mental health and protection of healthcare workers; urges DOH, DBM to expedite HEA disbursements

Bong Go advocates for mental health and protection of healthcare workers; urges DOH, DBM to expedite HEA disbursements

SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go stressed the importance of mental health among healthcare workers safeguarding the well-being of every Filipino. This comes after Senator Raffy Tulfo raised the issue of reported bullying of interns, nurses and lower ranking employees among medical professionals in hospitals during the Senate Committee on Health public hearing, held jointly with the Committees on Tourism and on Finance on Tuesday, March 12.

“I support Senator Tulfo’s sentiments and call to investigate,” Go began, aligning himself with Tulfo’s earlier sentiments on investigating the issue.

He emphasized the Department of Health’s (DOH) role in promoting physical and mental health not only of Filipinos needing healthcare, but also of health workers mandated to take care of patients.

“Pangalagaan natin ang pisikal at mental na kalagayan ng bawat Pilipino. Hindi lamang ng pasyente, kundi kasama rin po diyan ang mga doctors and healthcare workers. Proteksyunan natin sila,” Go urged.

During the hearing, Tulfo described the bullying culture that pervades many hospitals, affecting first-year resident doctors, interns, and sometimes non-medical staff. He urged hospital administrators, the DOH, and the Professional Regulation Commission to take decisive steps to eradicate bullying.

Tulfo also pressed on the investigations of suicides among resident doctors, questioning the effectiveness of current policies and the accountability of hospital administrators and the DOH in preventing such tragedies.

DOH Secretary Teodoro Herbosa assured the senator of the department’s commitment to addressing the issue, highlighting the sensitivity required in handling cases of suicide and the importance of supporting victims.

Aside from promoting their mental health, Go also referred to the Health Emergency Allowance (HEA) as a critical measure for safeguarding healthcare workers’ welfare. Go raised a question with the DOH, seeking clarity on the distribution of the HEA.

“Magkano na po yung nai-release for this year sa approved budget po ng Congress dito po sa HEA, Health Emergency Allowance. Magkano po yung programmed, magkano po yung unprogrammed, at napakalaki pa po ng mga balanse,” Go inquired, highlighting the urgency of releasing funds to healthcare workers.

Herbosa, followed by Undersecretary Carol Taiño, provided updates on the HEA’s disbursement. “As of March 8, 2024, we have granted 9,119,681 healthcare workers’ claims,” Herbosa noted, passing the floor to Taiño for a more detailed financial breakdown.

Taiño also discussed the breakdown between programmed and unprogrammed funds allocated for the HEA. Go then probed deeper into the issue of unprogrammed funds and backlogs from previous years, expressing concern over the significant shortfall that remains unaddressed.

Go then inquired about unprogrammed funds, to which Taiño responded that PhP2.35 billion was only allocated. She confirmed that of the PhP19 billion in programmed funds designated for the HEA, all had been released to healthcare workers, covering the allowances for the year 2024.

Further probing revealed that nearly all HEA payments up to 2021 had been settled, with only some Local Government Units (LGUs) pending due to liquidation issues. The discussion highlighted ongoing challenges with unfunded backlogs stretching from 2022 to 2024, amounting to approximately PhP22.5 billion in unfunded obligations.

“Serviced rendered na po iyan. Dapat lang na maibigay na yan sa mga health workers na nagtrabaho at nagsakripisyo noong panahon ng pandemya,” he stressed.

Go then underscored the importance of addressing these financial obligations, emphasizing that the services rendered by healthcare workers, especially during the pandemic, merit prompt and fair compensation.

“Obligasyon ‘yan ng DOH sa ating mga medical frontliners. So, baka pwede pong mabigyan po ‘yan ng importansya Sec. Ted, USec. Emmie. Baka mabigyan po ng priority for next year, mabalikan n’yo naman po. Kasi, uulitin ko lang po, ito po ay services rendered, pinagpaguran,” he urged.

He called on the DOH and the Department of Budget and Management to prioritize allocating funds to settle the outstanding HEA backlogs, advocating for the well-being and support of the frontline medical personnel who have made considerable sacrifices in the line of duty.

“Nakikiusap lang po kami sa inyo, kawawa talaga ‘yung mga frontliners po natin,” concluded Go.

Last Congress, Go is one of the authors and co-sponsors in the Senate of the Republic Act No. 11712, which grants benefits and allowances to healthcare workers during public health emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the lifting of the State of Public Health Emergency in the country, he continues to appeal to the executive to release the pending health emergency allowances due to qualified healthcare workers.

“Alam nyo hindi po ako tumigil sa pagpukpok ng HEA ninyo. At hindi ako titigil sa pagpa-follow up niyan. Alam nyo kung bakit? Services rendered na yan. Pinagpawisan nyo na yan, pinaghirapan nyo na yan. In fact, ilan sa mga frontliners natin buhay ang ibinuwis,” Go previously said to healthcare workers.

 

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