Maria Rosario Vergeire (Source: RTVM)
Some “unexpected circumstances” caused the delay in the release of monetary support to the families of health care workers who got critically sick or succumbed to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), Department of Health (DOH) Undersecretary Rosario Vergeire explained Tuesday.
Vergeire made the admission on the exact day the deadline set by President Rodrigo Duterte for the distribution of the financial compensation to the concerned health workers expired.
“May 26 na checks na distributed sa heirs ng mga namatay. May anim na andiyan na ang tseke, pero hindi pa nakukuha kasi kailangan ng special power of attorney nung ibang heir kasi ‘yung next of kin nasa ibang bansa kaya anak na lang ang kukuha. ‘Yung iba naka-confine rin, at iyong dalawa sa anim ay vina-validate pa ang detalye sa death certificate,” Vergeire shared in a virtual briefing.
At least 24 health workers who were severely infected with COVID-19 are set to receive P100,000 each, but their records are still under verification. Ten of them, on the other hand, have already received their compensation, as per Vergeire.
“Kapag tayo naman ay binigyan ng instruction, gagawin natin. Pero may mga unforeseen circumstances na hindi natin mako-control,” she said.
“From 70 qualified for severance pay of P100,000, naging 42, then 24 kasi nagde-delist po tayo. Meron po na sa medical abstract, sila po ay moderate at mild lamang. Meron rin pong mga tinawagan, at sinabi po nila na mild case lang po sila kaya hindi po nila kukunin iyong benefit,” Vergeire added.
Vergaire promised to the public that the DOH is doing its best to meet the deadline.
“Pinipilit nating maibigay lahat ngayong araw, until end of business hours. Pag-iibayuhin po natin. Pero kung sakali na hindi matapos, ang dahilan po ay unforseen circumstances,” Vergeire shared.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III last week blamed his subordinates for the delayed distribution of the monetary benefits as mandated under the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act. (RJ Espartinez)