Senators expressed their disappointment upon learning that none of the over 30 health workers who died or became severely ill from COVID-19 in the line of duty has received compensation provided under the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act.
Under the Bayanihan law, public and private health workers who become affected with severe COVID-19 infection in the line of duty are entitled to P100,000, while the families of those who die from it could get P1 million.
“It’s really criminal, this neglect to pass this, and to delay these types of benefits. We keep praising them as our heroes, and yet it’s mere lip service if we don’t give them anything material,” Senator Sonny Angara said.
Senator Richard Gordon, the lawmaker who introduced this provision, said this was an indication of “serious neglect.”
According to Gordon,32 health workers have died from the virus. At present, 1,172 health workers have the virus, 952 are mild cases, 218 are asymptomatic, while two are severely ill.
Angara suggested that the Senators write a letter to emphasize the urgency of the matter.
