MANILA – A bill granting mandatory continuing benefits to public, private, and barangay health workers during the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic and other future public health emergencies was approved by the House of Representatives on Wednesday night on its third and final reading.
The chamber passed House Bill 10701, with 202 affirmative votes, zero negative votes, and no abstentions. The bill intends to promote the welfare of health workers by giving mandatory benefits efficiently, particularly during a national public health emergency.
Under the bill, a special risk allowance (SRA) shall be given to all health workers for every month of service during the state of public health emergency.
The amount shall be based on the risk exposure categorization as follows: those deployed in “low risk areas” shall receive at least PHP3,000; those deployed in “medium risk areas” shall be given at least PHP6,000; those deployed in “high risk areas” shall be given at least PHP9,000.
The bill compensates covered health workers who got infected with Covid-19 or any other disease or ailment while performing their duties during a state of public health emergency.
In the event of death, PHP1 million shall be granted to the covered individuals’ heirs.
In case of sickness, PHP100,000 shall be provided to the covered individuals for a severe or critical case, while PHP15,000 shall be provided for a mild or moderate case.
Full Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) coverage shall be granted to health workers who are admitted to a hospital with confirmed Covid-19 infection, and such other disease which is the subject of a public health emergency declaration.
PhilHealth shall fully cover the cost of mandatory testing of health workers every 15 days or as often as necessary.
SK kagawad honoraria, CSC eligibility
On third and final reading, the House of Representatives also unanimously approved a bill granting Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) kagawads (councilors) honoraria and appropriate certificates of civil service eligibility.
Voting 201-0, the chamber passed House Bill 10698, which entitles SK councilors to honoraria, allowances, and such other emoluments.
The reform also broadens the functions of SKs to include skills training, youth employment, environmental protection, values education, and other programs that address the vulnerabilities affecting young people.
It also mandates the SK treasurer to have a financial or accounting background.
According to Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, author of the measure, professionalizing the SK would make sure that its efforts are compensated.
“The SK were very crucial to the fight against Covid-19, as they were among the barangay front-liners that could be mobilized for ayuda (aid) distribution and module distribution,” Salceda said.
The reform also mandates that each LGU appoints a local youth development officer to coordinate SK efforts.
“Fifty-two percent of Filipinos are below 24 years of age. The SK allows individuals up to 24 years of age to run for the SK. That means the majority of Filipinos are SK constituents. We should not neglect this crucial level of government,” Salceda said.
The bill has already been approved by the Senate of its own version.
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