Senator Christopher “Bong” Go on Monday called on government agencies to finally pay nearly P8.1 billion in unpaid Health Emergency Allowance (HEA) claims owed to frontline health workers, nearly three years after the COVID-19 health emergency was lifted.
At a Senate health committee hearing, Go said the delay in settling these claims is unacceptable and urged agencies to exhaust all legal and fiscal options—including using unprogrammed funds, the 2026 budget, and filing money claims with the Commission on Audit—to clear the backlog.
The initial P103 billion in HEA payments was largely settled following the passage of Republic Act No. 11712 in 2022, which Go helped author. However, new claims amounting to P8.1 billion remain pending, with P6.8 billion proposed for inclusion in the 2026 National Expenditure Program and over P1 billion still unprogrammed.
Go urged the Department of Budget and Management and the Bureau of the Treasury to explore tapping excess government revenues, such as the SAGIP fund, to settle the unpaid allowances before the 14 June congressional sine die adjournment.
“Services rendered po ‘yan… Sila po ang hero ng pandemya. Ibigay po what is due,” Go said, noting some health workers have died waiting for their payments.
He also discussed with the Commission on Audit the possibility of converting unpaid claims into money claims, which can be settled through the Contingent Fund even if no budget allocation exists.
Go vowed to continue monitoring the matter until all legitimate claims are paid.