The Department of Health (DOH) once more urges all health facilities to submit all documentary requirements for the grant of healthcare worker benefits related to COVID-19. These include the COVID-19 Risk Exposure Classification (CREC), attestations, and Memorandum of Agreement. Liquidation Reports covering any previously transferred funds from the DOH must also be submitted to the respective DOH Centers for Health Development (CHDs). Timely submission will facilitate the immediate distribution of the Special Risk Allowance (SRA); Meals, Accommodation, and Transportation (MAT) allowance; and One COVID-19 Allowance (OCA) funds to our healthcare workers and frontliners who deserve to be paid on time. DOH urges all to do their part towards this goal.
As cited in Commision on Audit (COA) Circular No. 2012-001 dated June 14, 2012, it is a fundamental principle that all claims against government funds shall be supported with complete documentation. Furthermore, the same COA Circular requires that for any new fund transfers to happen, funds previously transferred to the implementing agency – the health facilities in the case of SRA, MAT, and OCA – must first be liquidated and accounted for.
The latest data collected by the Department of Health (DOH) Metro Manila Center for Health Development (MM CHD) show the following amounts as still unliquidated by private health facilities: PhP 68 million of SRA across 117 health facilities; PhP 21 million of MAT across 39 health facilities; and PhP 145 million of OCA across 56 health facilities. There are also 10 local government units that have yet to liquidate a combined amount of PhP 101 million across all the three benefits, and 3 national government hospitals that have yet to liquidate PhP 30 million of SRA.
“The DOH is following established government accounting rules and regulations meant to ensure that the public funds for COVID benefits reach each and every healthcare worker they are meant for,” says Health Undersecretary and Chief of Staff Leopoldo J. Vega. “The DOH is more than willing to guide PHAPI on policies that aim to ensure appropriate use of government funds. We also invite PHAPI and other interested healthcare worker groups to please join our regular forums where we provide updates on the status of the benefits,” added Usec. Vega.
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