THERE’s a possibility that the remaining unpaid COVID-19 health emergency allowances for healthcare workers will be released by this year.
Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said it will reach an overall 27 billion pesos.
‘’Because that’s P75 billion, its total package released is about P60 billion. So, there’s only 27 billion left, we can pay them,’’ Sec. Teodoro Herbosa said.
During a meeting in Malacañang to discuss the 2025 National Expenditure Program (NEB), Secretary Herbosa mentioned that they also addressed the issue of unpaid emergency allowances.
Herbosa explained that since the allowance is classified as ‘unprogrammed’, there is no budget allocated for it.
However, he received assurance from the Department of Budget and Management or DBM, that funds will be provided.
Efforts are also underway to address the said issue within this year.
Herbosa discussed with DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, who confirmed that the budget for the remaining health emergency allowance is not included in the proposed 2025 budget, as there is a possibility it will be provided this year.
‘’Sec. Pangandaman said the allowance budget is no longer there. I asked, “Why none?” “It looks like we can give it this year,” he added.
