Manila Bulletin
Senate OKs more benefits for COVID-19 front liners
The Senate has passed the "Bayanihan to Heal as One Act" which grants President Rodrigo Duterte special powers to address the coronavirus pandemic for three months.
The bill includes provisions to provide financial aid and benefits to healthcare workers who are the frontliners in the battle against COVID-19.
Families of health workers who die from the disease while serving on the front lines will receive P1 million in compensation.
Health workers who contract severe COVID-19 infection will be given P100,000 as compensation.
A special COVID-19 risk allowance for health workers is mandated, in addition to their regular hazard pay.
The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) will cover the medical expenses of health workers exposed to the coronavirus.
The House of Representatives adopted the Senate's version of the bill, allowing it to be quickly enrolled for the President's approval.
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Deputy Speaker and Antique Rep. Loren Legarda urged the government to prioritize the well-being of frontline health workers, some of whom have died from COVID-19.
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Senator Bong Go urged the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to use available funds to properly compensate and equip volunteer health workers during the COVID-19 crisis.
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President Rodrigo Duterte expressed his gratitude to healthcare workers battling the COVID-19 pandemic, vowing to find tangible ways to compensate them.
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Congress has granted President Duterte special emergency powers through the "Bayanihan to Heal as One Act of 2020" to address the COVID-19 pandemic.
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President Rodrigo Duterte signed the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act of 2020 on Wednesday, March 25, granting him 30 special powers to address the novel coronavirus outbreak.
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