SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, has called for a thorough investigation into reports that some local government units (LGUs) are allegedly misappropriating the Health Emergency Allowances (HEA) intended for healthcare workers.
During a public hearing on Monday, November 25, conducted by his committee, Go emphasized the urgency of addressing the issue, describing the affected health workers as “heroes of the pandemic.”
“Services rendered po ito, pinagpawisan na po nila ito. Wala pong ibang dapat makinabang d’yan kundi ang ating mga health workers na hero ng pandemya,” Go asserted.
During the session, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the Department of Health (DOH) reported on the disbursement of PHP 27 billion allocated for unpaid HEA for 2024. The funds, according to DOH Undersecretary Achilles Bravo, were released in phases: PHP 10 billion in July, PHP 9 billion in August, PHP 4 billion in September, and PHP 2.9 billion in October.
However, despite the release, Bravo admitted that unresolved issues, such as incomplete Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) and liquidation requirements, have delayed full implementation.
“We still have some unobligated disbursement because of ongoing pan-process,” he explained.
Go, a health reform crusader, reminded the agencies concerned of their commitment during previous hearings to fully settle all obligations by October 30.
“Pero remember, during the previous hearings, you promised na October 30. Maalala ko, nasabi n’yo, tapos na ‘yan by October 30. So, ibig sabihin, na-release n’yo na ‘yung PHP 27 billion, but on-process na po sa mga regional offices.”
In a revealing exchange, Bravo disclosed troubling allegations that some LGU officials had reportedly attempted to misuse the funds intended for qualified and validated health workers. According to complaints received by the DOH, some local leaders had withheld the allowances meant for healthcare workers or intended to divert them to other frontliners, such as police officers involved in COVID-19 response efforts.
“Like for example, PHP 50,000 ‘yung (dapat) natanggap na beneficiary. Ang binibigay lang ng mayor is only PHP 30,000 to PHP 40,000. Binubulsa ‘yung 10%,” Bravo said.
He clarified that such practices are against the law, which specifies that HEA funds are exclusively for healthcare workers.
Go stressed the importance of accountability, urging the DOH to investigate these allegations thoroughly.
“Dapat alamin natin kung may katotohanan. Kung sino ‘yung may kalokohan d’yan, dapat managot. In fairness naman po sa mga mayors, dapat po kailangan niyong mapasagot ‘yan sa kanila kung totoo man po.”
Bravo confirmed that the DOH had issued advisories to LGUs on the proper use of HEA funds and encouraged affected healthcare workers to file written complaints.
“We asked them to file a written complaint to us so that we can fully investigate this matter,” he stated.
Go expressed concern over the plight of healthcare workers who have yet to receive their full HEA in accordance with the law. He highlighted the injustice faced by frontline workers who tirelessly served during the COVID-19 pandemic and emphasized the need to prioritize their compensation over other budget allocations.
“Mas kailangan po itong HEA dahil services rendered po ito. Pinaghirapan nila at sila po ang hero ng pandemya,” Go remarked, reiterating that these allowances are hard-earned and indispensable for the workers and their families.
Go urged the DOH to validate pending appeals for unpaid allowances and ensure that these are included in future budget priorities.
“Kung nailagay niyo po sa unprogrammed funds last year, bakit hindi niyo rin po ilagay din ngayon para mabigyan ng prayoridad itong healthcare obligation ninyo sa mga health workers natin?” he added.
“Since you are the one who released the funds at kayo po ang nagpapadala niyan sa mga regional offices, alam niyo, services rendered na po ‘yan. Pinagpawisan ‘yan. Wala pong ibang dapat makinabang d’yan,” he stated firmly.
Bravo acknowledged the DOH’s responsibility to ensure proper fund utilization and confirmed the issuance of an advisory reminding LGUs of the legal parameters for distributing HEA funds.
Go encouraged health workers to come forward with formal complaints to facilitate investigations.
“Please, alamin n’yo po at bigyan n’yo po ng update ng committee nito. Dahil ito po, isa tayo d’yan sa nagsulong na dapat mabayaran sila ng services rendered po nila,” he said.
The hearing concluded with commitments from both the DBM and DOH to provide detailed updates to the Senate Committee on Health. Bravo assured the committee that unresolved disbursement issues would be addressed promptly, and further advisories would be issued to LGUs to prevent misuse of funds.
Go vowed to continue his oversight on the matter, emphasizing the Senate’s role in ensuring the welfare of healthcare workers, ensuring transparency, and upholding the public trust.
“Kanila po ‘yun. Pinagpawisan nila ‘yun. Maliit o malaking halaga, napaka-importante po ‘yun na maibigay dapat sa kanila nang buong buo po,” Go emphasized.
The senator emphasized that while no monetary compensation can ever fully repay the sacrifices made by healthcare workers, it is the government’s responsibility to ensure that they receive the allowances they are entitled to.
Go is one of the authors and co-sponsors of Republic Act No. 11712, which mandates the provision of additional health emergency allowances for public and private healthcare workers (HCWs) during the COVID-19 pandemic and other public health emergencies. Despite the lifting of the State of Public Health Emergency in the country last year, he continues to appeal to the executive to release the pending health emergency allowances due to qualified healthcare workers for their services rendered during the pandemic.
