The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has released P7.92 billion to the Department of Health (DOH) for the One COVID-19 Allowance (OCA) of 526,727 eligible public and private health care workers (HCWs) and non-HCWs involved in the pandemic response.
Of this amount, P4.5 billion is allocated for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) benefits of 100,313 DOH plantilla personnel in public hospitals, offices and rehabilitation centers including those who are in military and state university hospitals, according to a DBM statement yesterday.
The remaining P3.42 billion is for other 426,414 health workers reporting in local government units and private health facilities, among others, DBM added.
Under the OCA, each HCW and non-HCW shall receive COVID-19 benefits depending on their level of COVID-19 exposure as prescribed under DOH Administrative Order 2022-0001.
Specifically, health workers who are identified to be at high risk shall receive P9,000 a month while those who are determined to be in medium and low risk are entitled to a monthly benefit of P6,000 and P3,000, respectively.
The benefit shall be given in full amount provided that the health professional physically reports to work for at least 96 hours per month, otherwise the benefit shall be prorated.
“The DBM will continue to ensure the timely and prudent approval of the budget releases to ensure the welfare of the frontliners as we bounce back from the impacts of the health crisis,” the agency said.
