SAN JOSE, Occidental Mindoro (PIA) -- A total of 431 Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) and Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS) from the municipality of San Jose recently received their Health Emergency Allowance (HEA) from the Department of Health (DOH) Mimaropa. Each beneficiary received P16,875, totaling P7,273,125, for the services they rendered from August to October 2021.

According to Dr. Lordivino Mesina of the Municipal Health Office (MHO), the Health Emergency Allowance (HEA) serves as an incentive for health workers’ sacrifices during the peak of the pandemic, “Yung mga sakripisyo natin dati noong panahon ng COVID-19 ay nasuklian din kahit sa ganitong halaga. Inaasahan natin na may mga kasunod pa ito [na payout sa hinaharap].”

The Department of Health (DOH) announced on August 15, its commitment to complete the distribution of health emergency allowances (HEAs) for healthcare workers who served during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic this year.

During a press briefing, DOH spokesperson Undersecretary Enrique Tayag said that a total of P46.4 billion in HEAs has already been disbursed by the DOH, leaving P15.2 billion to be allocated.

Meanwhile, Milagros Pabalinas, who has been serving as a BHW in Brgy. Murtha for almost four decades, shared that the work during the pandemic had been the most challenging time as a health worker.

“Masyadong matrabaho po…kahit mahirap sugurin ang pasyente, pinupuntahan namin,” said Pabalinas. 

Pabalinas added that the HEA is a big help for her as she had a mild stroke, making certain movements difficult for her, “Malaking tulong po, [dahil] sa panahon na ito na mahal ang [gastusin, ilalaan ko ito] sa pagpapagamot ko. Magpapacheck-up ako dahil nahihirapan ako maglakad.”

The payout was spearheaded by the Municipal Treasury Office (MTO). Health workers who were not able to claim their HEA are given a week to report to the MTO. (DSG/PIA Mimaropa - Occidental Mindoro)