Health Secretary Ted Herbosa on Wednesday said the remaining P27 billion arrears for the COVID-19 health emergency allowance of healthcare workers may already be settled within the year.Recalling his conversation with Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, Herbosa said that there will no longer be an allocated budget for the HEA under the 2025 National Expenditure Program as the unpaid allowance may already be released in 2024.“Sabi ni Secretary Pangandaman, wala na do’n ‘yung budget ng allowance.
GMA News Online sought a confirmation from Pangandaman, and she said that the Department of Budget and Management is set to issue a statement on the matter within the day.Meanwhile, DOH spokesperson Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo affirmed what Herbosa said, noting that the DOH requested the DBM if the HEA may be paid earlier or by this year.“ DBM gave an assurance that the earlier timeline is possible and that they are looking for the fund source,” Domingo told GMA News Online.