PSAY CITY -- Senator Christopher "Bong" Go has pledged to push for the passage of a bill that will give continued and more inclusive allowances and benefits to healthcare workers (HCWs) while the COVID-19 pandemic continues to be a public health emergency.

In an ambush interview during his distribution of assistance to various sectors and turnover of check to Davao Regional Medical Center in Tagum City, Davao del Norte, Go said that all HCWs should get the same allowances without any distinction, pointing out that they are all equally exposed to the virus.

This prompted him to file Senate Bill No. 2398 which seeks to provide benefits and allowances to all healthcare workers who are engaged in health and health-related work in health facilities during the state of public health emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Dapat po ay walang sinasabing distinction between itong exposed at hindi exposed. Dahil ‘pag pumasok ka sa hospital, eh hindi mo nakikita si COVID, expose ka na talaga,” said Go.

“Kaya dapat i-fix natin ito. Basta nakapag-duty ka sa hospital – ma-doctor, ma-nurse, ma-janitor o ma-utility men diyan na naglilinis po, ‘pag nasa hospital, ‘pag nagkasalubong po kayo, exposed ka na po. So, dapat wala na pong pili, walang pili po dapat,” he added.

As HCWs continue to save lives, Go believed the government owes them a debt of gratitude and should give them additional benefits. He believed people should not be forced to undergo the stress of fighting a fatal infection indefinitely without proper remuneration.

“Ibigay natin ‘yung mga incentives at allowances na dapat, nararapat sa ating mga health care workers. Mahirap po maging healthcare worker ngayon, mahirap po maging frontliner sa panahon ngayon,” said Go.

“Hindi po basta-basta ang trabaho nila. Napakaliit lang po na halaga ito para sa kanilang serbisyo sa ating mga kababayan. Sila po ang isinabak natin sa giyerang ito. So huwag ho natin silang pabayaan,” he added.

Senate Bill No. 2421 takes into consideration Go’s filed bill and provides a COVID-19 Risk Allowance in lieu of the special risk allowance, active hazard duty pay, life insurance, and other allowances granted under Bayanihan 2. All HCWs deployed in “low risk areas” will be given P3,000; those in “medium risk areas” will be given P6,000; those in “high risk areas” will be given P9,000.

The measure also provides PhilHealth coverage for direct healthcare costs of hospitalized health workers due to COVID-19. Public and private healthcare personnel who contract COVID-19 in the course of their work will also be compensated.

The senator said that included in the bill is the retroactive application of allowances beginning July 1, 2021.

“At ako naman po, ipaglalaban ko ang ating mga frontliners sa kahit anong paraan po, ipaglalaban ko po kayo bilang Senate Committee Chair on Health ay nandidito po ako na ipaglaban kayo. What is due sa inyo dapat po ibigay po para sa inyong lahat,” said Go.

He also pushed the government to spend more in the country's healthcare system, claiming that doing so would set off a chain reaction that would lead to the economy's recovery.

“The more we should invest ngayon sa ating healthcare. Ito po ang problema natin ngayon. It follows na po ‘yan lahat – ibig kong sabihin, ‘pag naging normal po ang sitwasyon natin sa pangkalusugan ay sunud-sunod na po ‘yan - ekonomiya, pagbukas ng ekonomiya, at pagbalik sa sigla ng ekonomiya, dagdag trabaho na, makabalik na po sa normal, na makapagtrabaho na po ‘yung ating mga kababayan,” said Go.

In his visit, Go witnessed the turnover of financial assistance to Davao Regional Medical Center for the Purchase of One Lot High Pressure Oxygen Booster Equipment worth Php. 25,000,000.

This will improve the hospital’s existing oxygen refilling machine by giving it its own supply under its control. This will help it to not become too dependent on 3rd parties for supplies, especially when supplies run low.

During the interview, Go also shared some of the health measures he has filed to improve the country’s healthcare system. These include that SB 2158, which establishes the Philippine Center for Disease Control and Prevention; SB 1803, or the e-Health System and Services Act of 2020, which aims to regulate the practice of telemedicine and e-Health, set the standards of practice and implement a mechanism for individuals and entities providing e-Health services; and SB 1529, which seeks to require the establishment of quarantine facilities in every region in the country.

“Ito pong mga iba’t ibang bills na makakatulong po sa pagbabalik natin sa ating normal na kabuhayan,” said Go.

Go expressed optimism that these legislation will acquire pace in the Senate once the Senate's current priority, the proposed 2022 budget, is passed. As the vaccine program expands, Go also hopes for a better holiday season for the country.

“Hopefully, makamtan po natin ‘yan. Sa ngayon, mayroon na tayong more than 88 million doses of vaccine ang dumating at mahigit 23 million Filipinos are fully vaccinated. Ang nakapag-first dose, more than 27 million na po. Tuluy-tuloy po ito, ‘yung ating vaccine rollout,” said Go. (OSBG)