Sotto urges DOH to fast-track health worker compensation

Senate President Vicente Sotto III urged the DOH on Wednesday, June 3, to fast-track compensation for health workers infected with or killed by COVID-19.

Sotto criticized the DOH's delay, saying it used the lack of IRR approval as an excuse instead of prioritizing compensation.

Senators expressed dismay on Tuesday after learning that no health worker has received the P100,000 sickness benefit or P1 million death benefit mandated by the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act due to the delay in approving the IRR.