The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has met with members of the Alliance of Health Workers (AHW) to discuss the grievances and concerns of healthcare workers to provide update about the release of their remaining emergency allowance.

Secretary Mina Pangandaman, other DBM officials and AHW members, led by their president, Robert Mendoza, held an “open and insightful” meeting at the agency’s central office in Manila on Friday.

The DBM reported during the meeting that it has already released PHP91.283 billion to the Department of Health (DOH) covering Public Health Emergency Benefits and Allowances for 2021 to 2023, according to a news release Monday.

The amount included PHP73.261 billion to cover the claims of 653,295 qualified public and private healthcare and non-healthcare workers for their health emergency allowance (HEA)/One Covid-19 Allowance from July 1, 2021 to July 20, 2023.

The DBM also disbursed PHP12.90 billion as Special Risk Allowance, PHP3.65 billion for the Covid-19 Sickness and Death Compensation, and PHP1.4 billion for other benefits, such as their food, accommodation, and transportation allowance.

Under the 2024 General Appropriations Act, a total of PHP19.962 billion is allocated for DOH’s arrears and pending claims.

In addition, the DBM said PHP2.351 billion is earmarked for the HEA under Unprogrammed Appropriations.

“Rest assured that under the leadership of [President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.], we are committed in ensuring the welfare of our health workers. We salute you!” Pangandaman said during the meeting. (PNA)