Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque reported that the chief executive may set a deadline for government agencies to provide compensation to health care workers who became severely ill or died of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
This was the Palace’s response when senators expressed dismay that none of the more than 30 health care workers who contracted Covid-19 received compensation packages as mandated by the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act or Republic Act (RA) 11469.
“We agree with the senators. That’s why in my talk I will ask the President, ‘What is now your mandate?’ Because the last time we talked about stranded OFWs, he simply said, ‘I’ll give these people a deadline,’” Roque said.
“So tomorrow (Thursday) when I meet with the President, I expect him to give the responsible parties again a deadline when to give the benefits to those who have gotten sick,” Roque said.
Recent data showed that a total of 1,172 health care workers have contracted Covid-19, some 952 of whom were mild cases, 218 were asymptomatic, and two fell severely ill.
Meanwhile, 32 health care workers have died of Covid-19.
Under the Bayanihan Law, public and private health care workers who become severely ill or died of Covid-19 in the line of duty are entitled to PHP100,000, while the families of those who succumb to the illness could get PHP 1 million.
