(BERNARD TAGUINOD)

IIMBESTIGAHAN na ng mababang kapulungan ng Kongreso ang reklamo ng health workers dahil sa delay na mga benepisyo ng mga ito habang itinataya ang kanilang buhay sa COVID-19.

Sa pamamagitan ng House Resolution (HR) 1704, nagpatawag ng imbestigasyon si Manila Rep. Manuel Luis Lopez para imbestigahan ang reklamong ito ng health workers, kahit mayroon nang pondo para rito.

“The complaints from our essential workers should not fall on deaf ear, but rather, should compel us to review and reformulate the country’s COVID-19 response for the safety and welfare of our citizens and the nation as a whole,” ani Lopez.

Hindi aniya makatarungan na nadedelay ang benepisyo at allowances ng mga health worker na patuloy na isinasakripisyo ang sariling kaligtasan para mailigtas sa COVID-19 ang pasyente.

Kabilang sa mga benepisyo ng health workers sa Republic Act (RA) No. 11469 o Bayanihan to Heal as One act at RA 11494 o Bayanihan to Recover as One Act ay special risk, meal, transportation, accommodation allowances at performance-based bonuses.

Bukod dito, bibigyan ng kompensasyon ang pamilya ng mga health worker na namatay, libre ang swab test kada 15 araw at libre ang ginagamit nilang personal protective equipment (PPE) subalit hindi umano ito naibibigay agad.

“Some health workers were also reportedly being charged for their RT-PCR tests, while others were not given pandemic or quarantine leave apart from their vacation or sick leaves, nor pay for those under a job order,” ani Lopez.

“Our frontliners are risking their lives every day. The least we can do is to listen to them and give what they rightfully deserve,” ayon sa mambabatas.