DBM releases P311.79 million for health workers' hazard pay

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) released P311.79 million on Wednesday, August 25, for the special risk allowances (SRAs) of healthcare workers in both public and private sectors.

This fund was charged from the Miscellaneous Personnel Benefits Fund and Unprogrammed Appropriations under the 2021 General Appropriations Act.

President Duterte ordered DBM and Health Secretary Francisco Duque to pay the delayed SRAs within ten days, with amounts not exceeding P5,000 per month for workers directly catering to COVID-19 patients from December 20, 2020, to June 30, 2021.

DBM Officer-in-Charge Tina Canda stated that the funds will be downloaded by DOH starting Wednesday afternoon, covering SRAs for an additional 20,156 healthcare workers.

Health Secretary Duque said some of these funds are already identified and could start being distributed as early as Wednesday.