Speaking in Navotas City after extending assistance to students on August 6, Go emphasized that while significant progress has been made, many eligible healthcare workers remain unpaid despite having already rendered their service.
Go said he has held extensive committee on health hearings to monitor that the HEA mandated under RA 11712—also known as the Public Health Emergency Benefits and Allowances for Health Care Workers Act—is fully implemented in exercise of the Senate’s oversight functions.
“Nagkaroon na po tayo ng 14 hearings sa Senado tungkol sa Health Emergency Allowance or HEA ng ating mga healthcare worker. Finally last year nabayaran na ‘yung Php27 billion. Dahil services rendered na po ito, pinaghirapan at pinagpawisan na nila,” the senator stressed, recalling the long process before substantial amounts were finally disbursed to beneficiaries.
The senator underscored that last year’s release of PhP27 billion was the result of persistent hearings and appeals from the healthcare community, but also revealed that unresolved claims remain.
“Sa kaka-hearing ko, maraming nag-apela, maraming pang hindi nababayaran,” Go said. This year alone, he cited that there are still around PhP6.7 billion worth of pending appeals from healthcare workers who have yet to receive their HEA.
“Service rendered na po ito,” Go stressed. “Kaya nananawagan ako sa DBM at DOH na tugunan po ito at bayaran n’yo po,” he urged.
Senator Go pledged to continue supporting the country’s medical frontliners by ensuring that government agencies fulfill their legal and financial obligations under RA 11712. “Bilang Chairman ng Committee on Health, tulungan natin ang ating medical frontliners,” he affirmed, noting that he will keep pushing for prompt payment to all eligible recipients.
Meanwhile, the senator confirmed that the Senate Committee on Health will hold its first hearing on August 20, where the HEA will be among the primary matters to be discussed. He indicated that the issue remains a top priority, given the crucial role that healthcare workers played during the pandemic and their continued service in times of crisis.
Republic Act No. 11712, enacted in April 2022, institutionalized the granting of the HEA and other benefits to healthcare workers in both public and private sectors who rendered service during a public health emergency. As one of the law’s authors and co-sponsors, Go has consistently fought for its proper implementation, particularly ensuring that the benefits reach the intended recipients without delay.
The HEA serves as financial recognition for healthcare workers’ service during emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic, when medical frontliners risked their health and safety to care for the public.
Go’s renewed appeal comes amid continuing reports from the ground that many healthcare workers are still waiting for their HEA, despite having completed their service more than a year ago. By pressing the DBM and DOH to immediately act on the pending appeals, the senator aims to close the gap between what is mandated by law and what is actually delivered to the frontliners who bore the brunt of the pandemic response.
“Ang pakiusap ko lang, bayaran na ang dapat bayaran. Hindi na dapat pinapatagal pa ito dahil tapos na ang serbisyo, ginawa na ang trabaho, at matagal nang hinihintay ng ating mga healthcare workers ang benepisyong para sa kanila,” Go reiterated in his remarks.
The August 20 hearing is expected to bring together representatives from the DOH, DBM, and healthcare worker groups to address the backlog and determine concrete steps for immediate payment of all pending HEA claims.
For Go, the issue is clear: the law has been passed, the service has been rendered, and the funds must reach the rightful recipients without unnecessary delay.