NextGen Day

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has signed a bill requiring public and private health professionals to continue receiving benefits throughout the coronavirus disease pandemic of 2019 (Covid-19) and other future public health emergencies.

Duterte signed Republic Act (RA) 11712 on April 27. It covers all healthcare and non-healthcare workers, regardless of employment status, during Covid-19 and other public health emergencies that may be declared in the future, from the time the public health emergency is declared until it is lifted by the President.

Individuals working in medical institutions and vaccination sites, as well as those engaging in Covid-19 response activities, outsourced staff exposed to Covid-19 or other public health concerns, and village health workers, are all considered health care and non-healthcare workers under RA 11712.

The law requires the government to pay a health emergency allowance (HEA) to qualifying recipients for each month of service during a public health emergency.

According to the law, the amount will be determined by the risk exposure classification.

Those assigned to “low risk areas” will receive at least PHP3,000, “minimum risk areas” will receive at least PHP6,000, and “high risk areas” will earn at least PHP9,000.

RA 11712 stated, “The HEA shall be released monthly in addition to the existing benefits that health care and non-healthcare workers receive.” “If a healthcare professional or non-healthcare worker physically delivers services for at least 96 hours in a month, the HEA will be released in full; otherwise, the benefit will be prorated.”

The Department of Health (DOH) may increase the amounts of the HEA, subject to the President’s approval and consultation with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), taking into account the cost of necessary expenses incurred by health care and non-healthcare workers in rendering services during a public emergency.

Those who contract Covid-19 in the line of duty are entitled to compensation under the law.

In the event of death, the covered people’ heirs will get PHP1 million.

In the event of illness, covered individuals with severe or critical illnesses will receive PHP100,000, while those with light or moderate instances will receive PHP15,000.

The compensation must be paid to the beneficiaries no later than three months after the date of confinement or death, and only if the beneficiaries have submitted all of the required documentation.

Due to Covid-19, all hospitalized health personnel will be covered by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).

In the event of future national public health emergencies, PhilHealth coverage for direct health care costs for people hospitalized to hospitals will be contingent on budget availability and the assessment and recommendation of the Health Technology Assessment Council (HTAC).

PhilHealth will cover regular testing of health and non-health professionals on an as-needed basis.

The benefits under RA 11712 will be retroactive to July 1, 2021, and will remain in full force and effect during the President’s declaration of a national public health emergency.

“Nothing in this Act shall be construed to reduce any existing allowance and benefit under Republic Act No. 7305 or the ‘Magna Carta of Public Health Workers,’ and other existing laws, decrees and issuances, executive orders, and contracts or agreements between health care and non-healthcare workers and employers,” according to the law.

In the DOH regional offices, an ad hoc grievance board will be established to accept, investigate, adjudicate, and recommend steps to resolve complaints about the failure to issue benefits.

A grievance officer from the Department of Health, a representative from health professional groups, and an arbitration officer from the Department of Labor and Employment in the jurisdiction where the concerned hospital is located shall make up the grievance board.

The necessary financing for the implementation of RA 11712 will be deducted from the Department of Health’s available appropriations and any other sources recognized by the DBM.

The budget required to keep it running during the national public health emergency will be included in the General Appropriations Act, subject to existing budgeting, accounting, and auditing laws and regulations.

RA 11712, which was published on Friday, goes into force immediately after being published in the Official Gazette or a general circulation newspaper.

Save/Share this story with QR CODE

---

Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute endorsement of any specific technologies or methodologies and financial advice or endorsement of any specific products or services.

📩 Need to get in touch?

📩 Feel free to Contact NextGenDay.com for comments, suggestions, reviews, or anything else.

---

We appreciate your reading. 😊Simple Ways To Say Thanks & Support Us:
1.) ❤️GIVE A TIP. Send a small donation thru Paypal😊❤️
Your DONATION will be used to fund and maintain NEXTGENDAY.com
Subscribers in the Philippines can make donations to mobile number 0917 906 3081, thru GCash.
3.) 🛒 BUY or SIGN UP to our AFFILIATE PARTNERS.
4.) 👍 Give this news article a THUMBS UP, and Leave a Comment (at Least Five Words).

---

AFFILIATE PARTNERS

World Class Nutritional Supplements - Buy Highest Quality Products, Purest Most Healthy Ingredients, Direct to your Door! Up to 90% OFF.
Join LiveGood Today - A company created to satisfy the world's most demanding leaders and entrepreneurs, with the best compensation plan today.

---