At least 6,733 village volunteer workers in Eastern Samar have received their yearly allowance from the provincial government.

In a statement on Monday, Governor Ben Evardone said they disbursed PHP6.44 million during its series of distribution in June.

These include 3,404 watchmen and 2,697 health workers who got PHP1,500 each, and 632 daycare workers who received PHP2,000 each.

The provincial government said the amount is on top of the monthly honorarium they receive from their respective village.

Evardone said the initiative aims to help village volunteers who have been assisting the provincial and local governments in maintaining peace and order and implement health programs at the grassroots level.

“Especially these days that we are in the middle of a health crisis. They are front-liners in the fight against coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), helping us enforce the quarantine measures and monitor health situations in the community,” he added.

To date, Eastern Samar has no active case of Covid-19 as its first three patients from Borongan City and the towns of Mercedes and Guiuan have already recovered, the provincial health office reported.

Meanwhile, Eastern Visayas has confirmed a total of 673 cases, including 631 recoveries and three deaths, according to the Department of Health (DOH) monitoring report.

The DOH said the region has maintained a high recovery rate since more than 90 percent of its confirmed cases are asymptomatic.

To date, the region has 39 active coronavirus cases housed in isolation and quarantine facilities. (PNA)