• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
About P202.837 million of the Health Emergency Allowance (HEA) intended for payment to health personnel and staff of nine district hospitals managed by the provincial government of Negros Occidental, who rendered services during the COVID-19 pandemic period, have yet to be released by the Department of Health- Western Visayas (DOH-6).
Dr. Ma. Girlie Pinongan, provincial health officer, said that the claims of the health workers were already submitted to the DOH.
As of Friday, Dr. Adriano Suba-an, DOH-6 regional director, cannot be reached for comment.
On Thursday, Randy Peacita, president of the Progressive Alliance of Capitol Employees, said that DOH-6 has not yet downloaded the budget for the HEA of the hospital personnel of Teresita Lopez Jalandoni Provincial Hospital in Silay City, and the district hospitals in Cadiz, Valladolid, La Carlota, Himamaylan, Isabela, Kabankalan, Hinobaan, and Sipalay.
The unclaimed HEA covers the periods from August to December 2021, and January to July 2023.
As stipulated in the provisions of Republic Act 11712, health workers assigned in high risk medical facilities, such as Cadiz District Hospital, which was designated as the COVID-19 hospital in Negros Occidental, are entitled to receive P9,000 HEA every month; P6,000 for medium risk areas, and P3,000 for low risk areas. | GB
