MANILA – The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has issued PHP1.081 billion to the Department of Health (DOH) for the provision of sickness and death benefits to public and private healthcare workers (HCWs) and non-HCWs in health facilities who contracted or may contract coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) in the course of their duties for this year.
HCWs and non-HCWs who got mild or moderate Covid-19 infection will be compensated with PHP15,000, while those who contracted severe or critical Covid-19 infection would be compensated with PHP100,000.
To the families of HCWs and non-HCWs who died in the course of duty due to Covid-19, a million peso is allocated.
The criteria set by the health department under DBM-DOH Joint Circular No. 2022-0002 will be used for the identification of Covid-19 classification of eligible HCWs and non-HCWs.
Under the Fiscal Year 2022 General Appropriations Act, the funds were charged against the DOH’s regular budget.
Thus, the compensation will be transferred by the DOH to DOH-retained and corporate hospitals, DOH Treatment and Rehabilitation Centers, and Centers for Health Development, among other attached agencies and institutions.
As the nation recovers from the effects of the health crisis, the DBM will continue to ensure the timely and prudent approval of the budget releases to protect the welfare of the frontline workers.
