Albay 3rd District Representative Raymond Salceda on Monday pressed the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the Department of Health (DOH) to issue simplified guidelines for the release of the Health Emergency Allowance (HEA) to healthcare workers who served during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 2026 General Appropriations Act, signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., allocates ₱6.77 billion for Public Health Emergency Benefits and Allowances (PHEBA) for both health and non-healthcare workers.
“Now that the budget is in place, we need the DBM and DOH to act quickly. Our health workers have waited long enough. Baka pwedeng affidavit na lang. Maybe we can simplify the process by accepting sworn affidavits from health workers attesting to their eligibility and service,” Salceda said.
He proposed that unpaid health workers submit sworn affidavits detailing their eligibility, period of service, and nature of work rendered, to be verified by the DOH before DBM releases funds, with the Commission on Audit conducting post-audit checks.
Salceda stressed that the current system is slowed by documentation requirements many facilities cannot meet, leaving numerous claims pending.
“Utang po ito, eh. Kaya sana madaliin na natin ang revised guidelines. Our health workers risked their lives during the pandemic,” he pointed out.
Under Republic Act No. 11712, healthcare workers are entitled to monthly allowances ranging from ₱3,000 to ₱9,000 depending on risk exposure during declared public health emergencies.
While DBM has released over ₱121 billion for PHEBA from 2020 to early 2025, many claims remain unresolved due to record-keeping issues.
Salceda emphasized that prompt distribution is the least the government can do for frontliners who endured heightened infection risks, extended hours, and severe physical and mental strain.