Health Workers Hold Protest During Observance of National Heroes Day
Several health workers conduct a protest to expressed their disappointment regarding alleged “unpaid” benefits during National Heroes Day.
On Monday (August 30, 2021), numerous health workers have conducted demonstrations during the observance of the National Heroes Day. The health employees were expressing their sentiments over alleged unpaid benefits.
The St. Luke’s Medical Center Employees Association also joined the protest and urged the government to pay their unpaid benefits. The protesters hold the rally 9th day after President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the Department of Budget and Management at Department of Health (DOH) to give the health worker’s unpaid allowances.
According to the group, the government released a fund worth P311 million for only 20,000 health workers and special risk allowance (SRA). St. Luke’s employees said that more than 1, 000 workers received their SRA’s out of 3, 000.
DOH has a long list of unpaid debt for alleged failing to provide the meals, accommodation and transportation allowance, aside from the hazard pay. The group also doubts that they would receive the benefits on Tuesday (August 31), the deadline given by President Duterte.
The medical frontliners also assured that the protest would not affect the patients and hospital operations will remain fully-functional. The University of Santo Tomas (UST) Hospital in Manila also holds a protest.
UST Hospital’s employees conduct a noise barrage from Lacson Avenue up to España Boulevard. The medical employees are also asking for the release of their unpaid benefits.
The group Filipino Nurses United (FNU) and other health employees would hold a nationwide protest on Wednesday (September 1). FNU complained regarding the P227 SRA of medical frontliners with no other benefits.
“Ang SRA pa nga lang po ang pinag-uusapan ay kapos na kapos pa ang budget. May bilyones pa pong nandiyan na hindi pa po nagagamit. Kaya hindi ho katuwiran ang kakulangan sa budget kung tutuusin para ibigay po ang lahat ng benepisyong nararapat sa ating health workers,” FNU National President Maristela Abenoja said.
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