THE special risk allowance (SRA) for health workers needs to be set at P5,000 per month to avoid delays in distribution, according to the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA). READ:
ARTA Director General Jeremiah B. Belgica said in a statement on Monday that the Department of Health should pay the fixed amount rather than having to compute the amount based on the actual work days.“I have always said that we, in the government, must show our appreciation to the heroic frontline health workers who have made countless sacrifices for us during this coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.
“Since… those who work in health institutions are equally at risk of contracting COVID-19, do away with this classification and apply the P5,000 benefit across the board,” Mr. Belgica said. “It was found that having to compute based on days served in the hospital could cause an inequitable designation of value for work since many are giving more than what can be measured in hours and days,” he added.
Recently, the Department of Budget and Management released P1.19 billion to cover the unpaid SRA of 63,812 frontline health workers.Revin Mikhael D. Ochave