Senators said on Wednesday, August 18, that all health workers, whether they are directly treating COVID-19 patients or not, should also receive special risk allowance since they are all exposed to the risk of contracting the virus.
"Hindi ba toxic 'yung situation sa ospital? Why are we playing God? Na pagka nandun 'yung tao, doktor natin, nurse natin, kahit na wala siya sa COVID ward, mae-expose siya. mae-expose pati pamilya niya,The senator made the statement after Department of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said hospital chiefs should validate first if the medical frontliners set to receive the benefits directly treated COVID-19 patients.
Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon and Senator Risa Hontiveros agreed with Gordon. Drilon said that"there should be a liberal interpretation" of the benefits since this is a"social benefit" for health workers. "Our health experts led by the DOH have taught us that closed, air-conditioned areas have high viral load environment – these are areas where we are most vulnerable, and those descriptions fit hospitals more than any other setting," she said.In the same hearing, Commission on Audit Chairperson Michael Aguinaldo said that the agency is open to discussing the matter with the DOH since it was the latter who prepared the implementing rules.
Common sense lang ito, but it's rare to find in politicians.