DOH Extends Deadline for Healthcare Workers to Apply for Dangerous Living Conditions Benefit

MANILA – The Department of Health announced Wednesday that it was extending the deadline for health workers requesting payment for COVID-19 hazards.

This developed after groups of healthcare workers complained about the 1-day deadline for their requirements.

DOH said in a statement that its Center for Health Development (CHD) for the National Capital Region met with union leaders from health worker groups and the Hospital Industry Tripartite Council in a meeting facilitated by the Department of Labor and Employment.

“Recognizing the limited number of business days remaining in the year to process HCW benefits, the parties agreed to move the deadline to the end of the week,” DOH said.

Healthcare workers who qualify for Hazard Pay must now submit their requirements by Friday, December 11, 2020 at 5 pm

In addition to receiving criticism from health care workers, the DOH was also criticized by Senator Risa Hontiveros, who said it appeared that health workers were being exploited.

DOH explained that Joint Circulars Nos. 1 and 2 s. 2020 DOH and the Department of Budget and Management provide guidance on granting the Active Risk Fee Payment (AHDP) and Special Risk Allowance (SRA) and also “sought to simplify the requirements for the provision of the benefit to our HCWs. “

The agency assured healthcare workers that their CHDs will help hospitals adhere to the guidelines.

“DOH reminds implementing units, including hospitals and healthcare facilities, to make it easier to process these benefits,” said DOH.

“While hospitals and other health facilities may request additional requirements and impose deadlines in order to expedite the release of AHDP or SRA, these impositions should not unduly burden our TSs.”

DOH assured healthcare workers that their “invaluable contribution” was being recognized.

He said that he is committed to providing the benefits of the Republic Law 11494 or the Bayanihan Law to Recover as One.

Before healthcare workers complained about the 1-day deadline, groups of nurses also questioned the government’s decision to only allocate a special risk allowance for those who directly care for COVID-19 patients.

But DOH said it was because public health workers are already being paid for dangerous living conditions under existing laws.