Public and private healthcare workers (HCWs) are likely to get mandatory and continued special risk allowance (SRA) in future public health emergencies as both legislative chambers moved closer to giving their final nod before the Feb. 5 congressional adjournment to a measure providing such extra pay to these medical frontliners, according to Camarines Sur Rep. LRay Villafuerte.
Villafuerte said both the Senate and House of Representatives have passed on second reading their respective versions of the bill mandating the national government to provide the SRA for all HCWs for each month of service whenever there is a state of public health emergency in the future.
Both HB 10701 and Senate Bill (SB) 2421 provide for additional compensation to HCWs who get sick during a public health emergency, with the amount depending on whether they suffer mild, moderate or severe/critical infection.
“This will ensure that there is always enough funding for healthcare worker benefits in recognition of the sacrifices that these medical frontliners have been doing, and will do in the future, to save lives in public health emergencies,” said Villafuerte, who is one of the authors of the consolidated bill that the House passed on second reading this week.
The Senate also passed its version of the bill on second reading this week.
A former deputy speaker, Villafuerte said both chambers are expected to pass this measure on third and final reading this week in time for the bicameral conference committee (bicam) process and submission of the enrolled bill before the congressional break to President Duterte for his approval.
The Congress will go on a three-month break beginning Feb. 5 for the national election campaign period, and will reopen on May 23.
Villafuerte earlier lauded President Rodrigo Duterte for approving the release of P1.185 billion from the 2021 contingent fund to pay the SRA of HCWs who have yet to receive such extra pay.
Villafuerte’s bill also seeks to raise the additional amount they receive for each hour of work performed between 6 PM and 6 AM the following day from 10% to 20% of such overtime rate.
The Bicolano solon then said that to ensure that there is always enough funding for the benefits of HCWs, the Congress should swiftly approve the consolidated bill that aims to provide such extra pay to these medical frontliners.
Villafuerte said the benefits under the consolidated bill (House Bill or HB 10701, which includes HB 10365 that he authored, will cover both public and private healthcare workers.
The monthly amount that HCWs are to get under the proposal will depend on which exposure category they fall under: P3,000 for those working in low-risk areas; P6,000 in medium-risk areas; and P9,000 in high-risk areas.
Both HB 10701 and Senate Bill (SB) 2421 provide for additional compensation to HCWs who get sick during a public health emergency, with the amount depending on whether they suffer mild, moderate or severe/critical infection.
Villafuerte has also filed a related measure, HB 9670, which seeks to amend the existing Magna Carta of Public Health Workers by increasing the rates for their overtime pay and other incentives and benefits.
HB 9670 aims to increase the night shift differential pay of public health workers from 10% to 20% regular wage they receive.
Villafuerte’s bill also seeks to raise the additional amount they receive for each hour of work performed between 6 PM and 6 AM the following day from 10% to 20% of such overtime rate.
It also provides for a P300 daily subsistence allowance and P10,000 monthly hazard allowance for each public healthcare provider.
These amounts may be increased as may be determined in the future by the Secretary of Health, the bill states.
The laundry allowance of public health workers required to wear uniforms will also be increased from P125 to P500 per month or higher as may be determined in the future by the health secretary, under HB 9670.
