The Department of Health Bicol Center for Health Development (DOH Bicol CHD) has reported the grant of COVID-19 compensation to at least 1,120 health workers. New guidelines were also signed for their continuing benefits.
In an official statement, DOH Bicol said the compensation is granted to all eligible public and private health care workers (HCWs) and non-HCWs in health facilities who were infected with COVID-19 and/or died while fighting the COVID-19 pandemic in line of duty.
“Fifteen thousand pesos was awarded to mild and moderate cases, P100,000.00 to severe or critical, and P1,000,000 to families of health workers who died due to COVID-19,” the DOH statement stated.
Of the 1,120 health workers, 1,108 were categorized mild cases, five were severe, while seven died. Some claims are pending and are still in process while others were already approved and awaiting funds.
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the DOH released Joint Circular 2022-0002 to provide guidelines for said claims in the year 2022. Likewise, Republic Act No. 11712 was signed granting mandatory continuing benefits and allowances to HCWs amid the COVID-19 pandemic and other future public health emergencies.
Eligible health workers for COVID-19 sickness and death compensation are medical allied personnel who provided direct care to patients; technical, administrative, and support staff; Barangay Health Emergency Response Teams (BHERTs) members; Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) and volunteer workers (swabbers, vaccinators, encoders, bar coders, contact tracers, ambulance drivers, etc.).
Full details at https://pia.gov.ph/news/2022/05/24/bicol-health-workers-get-p15k-p1m-covid-19-financial-aid?preview=