THREE health care workers under the Provincial Health Office (PHO) of Iloilo have been cleared of any liability by the Commission on Audit over the disallowance slapped on the payment of hazard pay in 2010 and 2011 amounting to P7.74 million.
State auditors issued a notice of disallowance in 2012 on the ground that the fund releases supposedly violated provisions of RA No. 7305 or the Magna Carta of Public Health Workers.
Nurse Nanie Sumagaysay, nursing attendant Maja Tupas, and medical technologist Kristine Jo Sobida were included among those who were held liable in the disallowance, which requires them to refund hazard allowances received.
The three filed a consolidated appeal on June 12, 2012 asserting their right to receive the questioned allowances since by the office orders issued by the Provincial Health Office, they were detailed to the Medical-Dental Services Office.
By the said assignment, they pointed out that they were tasked to provide health care services to employees of the provincial government of Iloilo and their dependents, the inmates of the Provincial Integrated Jail, as well as to occasional walk-in patients.
The three explained the nature of their duty meant they were exposed to viral and infectious diseases.
Reacting to their arguments, the audit team leader said the three were included by mistake in the list of liable individuals. He acknowledged that the appellants received the allowances in good faith and all three were entitled to it as intended by RA 7035.
“There is no question that the appellants were all assigned at the MDS Office of the province or the provincial clinic, who, by the nature of their work, are exposed to various health hazards. Thus, the appellants are PHWs who are entitled to the payment of hazard pay/hazard allowance,” the COA Commission Proper declared.
COA Chair Michael G. Aguinaldo and Commissioner Roland C. Pondoc ordered the exclusion of the three health workers from liability under the notices of disallowance.
