Press Release - Senate Health Committee provides platform for healthcare workers to voice concerns as Chair Bong Go reminds DBM, DOH to prioritize HEA

Senate Committee on Health and Demography Chair Senator Christopher "Bong" Go on Monday, May 20, championed the welfare of healthcare workers as the public hearing he led became an "avenue" for ordinary healthcare workers to ask high-ranking officials directly about their delayed health emergency allowances during the COVID-19 pandemic.

During a public hearing conducted by the Committee, healthcare workers were given an opportunity to have a dialogue with Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Teodoro Herbosa and Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah Pangandaman regarding their Health Emergency Allowance or HEA concerns.

Senator Go was one of the authors and co-sponsors of Republic Act No. 11712, or the Public Health Emergency Benefits and Allowances Act, 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 last year, a number of health workers have not yet received what is due to them.

Healthcare worker Rowel Pahati expressed deep gratitude to Go for providing a platform to air their concerns. Pahati, however, could not hold back his emotion as he raised his questions directed to DOH and DBM through the committee chair.

"Tuwang-tuwa po kami. Kasi pangatlong beses na kami uma-attend dito at palagi kaming ini-involve ni Senator Bong. Salamat po. Pangalawang beses ko nang narinig na unang tinanong ni Senator Bong na napakaganda sa pandinig naming mga healthcare worker kung priority n'yo kami. Hindi kayo masagot, senator eh. Hindi kayo masagot nila. Nung may mga sakit po ang mga Pilipino, priority namin kayong lahat. Naiiyak kami kasi para kaming namamalimos," Pahati said.

Pahati, who is part of the United Private Hospital Unions of the Philippines, raised concerns about a fellow healthcare worker who he said is losing hope of ever receiving HEA.

"Meron po kami ngayon, senator, na kasamahan na mukhang hindi na masisilayan 'yung HEA dahil may cancer po siya. Pasensya na kayo kung nagiging emosyonal. Kasi tuwang tuwa kami na ilang hospital na pribado na iniimbita dito ni Senator. Salamat, Senator. Pero kada punta po namin,