Senator Christopher "Bong" Go, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, on 12 February called on the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the Department of Health (DOH) to explore all possible funding sources to settle the remaining unpaid Health Emergency Allowances (HEA) for healthcare workers.

"I thank our healthcare workers who continue to sacrifice to save lives. I also should remind everyone that they must be paid the allowances mandated under Republic Act 11712, or the Public Health Emergency Benefits and Allowances for Health Care Workers, which they have still not received." Go said in Filipino.

During a Senate hearing, Go emphasized that the government has both a moral and financial obligation to compensate healthcare workers for their services during the pandemic.

DOH Undersecretary Achilles Bravo reported that P27 billion previously allocated for HEA had already been distributed to regional offices, with only about 10% pending due to documentation issues. However, new claims amounting to P6.7 billion have emerged from appeals and reconsideration requests filed after the initial deadline.

Bravo also revealed that while the DOH requested an additional P5 billion from DBM last October to cover these claims, the request was denied due to budget constraints. Congress and the Senate later included a P2.5 billion allocation for HEA in the 2025 budget, but it was ultimately vetoed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Go expressed disappointment over the veto, stressing that HEA is not a discretionary fund but payment for work already rendered by healthcare workers.

‘What a waste’

Since the earliest opportunity to allocate additional HEA funding would be in the 2026 budget proposal, Go urged DBM and DOH to identify alternative funding sources within the current year’s budget.

"What a waste. This is for services already rendered — our people worked hard for this," he said. "How about the current year? Are there any legal remedies? Any legally available funds? If the DBM and DOH would have mercy on our healthcare workers, is there a way?"

DBM representative Mark James Evangelista explained that while part of last year’s HEA payments had been covered by unprogrammed allocations, the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA) did not include similar provisions. He suggested that the DOH consider reallocating existing budgetary allotments.

"We encourage the agency to utilize or modify their available allotments from their existing programs, activities, and projects," Evangelista said.

Hospital union calls for change

Ronald Ignacio, representing the United Private Hospital Unions of the Philippines (UPHUP), voiced frustration over the veto of the P2.5 billion HEA allocation, especially given the funding granted to other government programs.

"During his inauguration, [the President] said there would be changes starting tomorrow. But for him to veto the P2 billion meant for us — that’s saddening," Ignacio said.

"We worked hard for that. We deserve it. It’s frustrating to see other projects receive a total of P132 billion in funding, while our P6.7 billion was vetoed," he added.

Go echoed the concerns of healthcare workers, emphasizing that their sacrifices during the pandemic should not be overlooked.

"You worked for this. You truly earned it… You endured hardships, worked tirelessly. Some of you even lost your lives, while others fell ill," he lamented.

Nonetheless, Go assured healthcare workers that he would continue to advocate for their welfare.

"I will fight for our healthcare workers, especially those from low-income communities and the underprivileged. That has always been my advocacy — programs that genuinely help our fellow Filipinos," he affirmed.