Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah Pangandaman has approved the issuance of Budget Circular No. 2024-6, which provides the guidelines, rules, and regulations on the grant of the medical allowance to qualified government personnel this year.
The provision of medical allowance to government workers is in line with Executive Order (EO) No. 64-2024, which also prescribes the salary increase for government personnel signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Aug. 2 last year.
“This is a promise fulfilled. Pagpasok po ng 2025, maaari na po silang makatanggap ng medical allowance para makatulong sa pagkuha nila ng HMO para sa kanilang health-related expenses o gastusin. Ito po ang ipinangako ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos at ngayon po ay tinutupad niya ito para sa ating mga lingkod bayan,” Pangandaman said in a statement Jan. 2.
The medical allowance, not exceeding P7,000 each year, shall be given to each qualified civilian government personnel as a subsidy to avail of health maintenance organization (HMO)-type benefits.
The circular applies to all civilian government personnel in the national government agencies, including state universities and colleges, and government-owned and controlled corporations not covered by Republic Act No. 10149 and EO No. 150- 2021, regardless of appointment status, whether regular, casual, or contractual; appointive or elective; and on a full-time or part-time basis, the DBM said.
It also covers employees in local government units and local water districts.
The medical allowance may be granted in the form of HMO-type product coverage, which could be availed of, either by government agencies concerned or their respective employees’ organizations/groups.
It can also be in cash, for those who will avail of their own or pay/renew their existing HMO-type benefit; and for those who paid their medical expenses, such as but not limited to hospitalization, emergency care, diagnostic tests, and medicines, due to the difficulty in acquiring HMO-product.
Such arrangement is without prejudice to the preference of employees to opt out from group purchase, and individually avail of another HMO product.
“This medical allowance is not just a benefit, it’s a vital investment in safeguarding a healthy workforce and ensuring that they perform at their best,” Pangandaman stressed. ||
