The Department of Budget and Management has released P7.92 billion to the Department of Health for the provision of the One COVID-19 Allowance (OCA) of 526,727 eligible public and private healthcare workers and non-HCWs involved in COVID-19 response.
Of this amount, P4.50 billion is allocated for the COVID-19 benefits of 100,313 DOH plantilla personnel in public hospitals, offices, and rehabilitation centers including those who are in military and state university hospitals.
The remaining P3.42 billion is for other 426,414 health workers reporting in local government units and private health facilities, among others.
Under the OCA, each HCW and non-HCW shall receive COVID-19 benefits depending on their level of COVID-19 exposure as prescribed under DOH Administrative Order 2022-0001.
Specifically, health workers who are identified to be at high risk shall receive P9,000 a month while those who are determined to be in moderate and low risk are entitled to a monthly benefit of P6,000 and P3,000 respectively.
The benefit shall be given in full amount provided the health professional physically reports to work for at least 96 hours per month, otherwise the benefit shall be prorated.
Moreover, on top of the P7.92 billion lodged under the DOH’s budget, an additional P42.0 billion can be tapped under Unprogrammed Appropriations for the provision of the OCA this year.
The agencies issued DBM-DOH Joint Circular 2022-0001 to prescribe the guidelines for the grant of the OCA. The DBM will continue to ensure the timely and prudent approval of the budget releases to ensure the welfare of the frontliners as we bounce back from the impacts of the health crisis.
Last month, the DBM released the amount of P1.18 billion to serve as additional funds for special risk allowance of medical frontliners who are handling COVID-19 patients.
The release came after President Rodrigo Duterte’s approval of the funding request, the agency’s statement read.
The funds were intended for 63,812 eligible public and private health workers directly attending to patients who contracted the virus.
