Earlier release of health emergency allowance hailed

It has been a familiar scene every time Sen. Bong Go meets with health care workers (HCWs): crowds chanting “HEA! HEA!” and practically begging the government to release their long overdue Health Emergency Allowance.

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In the monthly hearings he initiated as chairman of the Senate committee on health, Go consistently reminded concerned agencies to prioritize the release of HEA as soon as possible.

“It’s health care workers’ money. They worked hard for it,” Go would argue at every hearing.

Each time, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and Department of Health (DOH) would assure the lawmaker that they would release the remaining outstanding HEA by 2025.

But yesterday, much earlier than promised, the DBM announced the release of P27 billion to settle all unpaid HEA. This was aligned with President Marcos’ directive to clear all such arrears.