THE Alliance of Health Workers (AHW) yesterday slammed government for its continued failure to provide COVID-19 medical frontliners allowances they are entitled to, months since the lifting of the state of public health emergency.
In a statement, the AHW said it is unacceptable that P62.2 billion worth of health emergency allowances remain unpaid due to lack of funds of Department of Health.
“We are angry and frustrated with this government and agency that are supposed to oversee the health workers’ welfare but obviously they don’t have the intention of giving our hard earned benefits,” said AHW.
“It has been so long and yet the funds that should be allocated for the hard-earned benefits of health workers remain absent,” it added.
The health workers said what makes the situation more unacceptable is the fact that the government appears to prioritize intelligence and confidential funds of some agencies.
“Politicians are fighting over large funds in intelligence and confidential funds, while health workers are being deprived of funds,” said AHW.
Last week, the DOH said P62.2 billion in health emergency allowances covering the period of July 1, 2021 to July 20, 2023 remain unpaid.
The DOH also said it has sought P25.9 billion in funding from the budget department but was allocated only P4 billion for the payment of the health emergency allowances.
“We challenge Marcos Jr. and the health department to fulfill their oath and promises and prove that they can do something to uplift the condition of health workers,” said the AHW.
