DOH-CAR clears issue on P100,000 aid for Covid-19 survivor
This has reference to an article published by the Courier in its June 14, 2020 issue, which stated that a health worker was given P100,000 compensation as provided for in Section 4(f) of Republic Act 11469, otherwise known as the “Bayanihan to Heal as One Act.”
We would like to clarify that there was no official statement released or certification stating that Mr. Joel Junsay, a recovered Covid-19 confirmed case and a health worker from the Baguio City Health Services Office, as one of the beneficiaries. While it is true that we have released the amount to one recipient, a health worker with severe Covid-19 infection, this is not in the person of Mr. Junsay.
While we salute all the frontline health workers in the region including Mr. Junsay for willingly fighting against Covid-19, the compensation based on guidelines is given to public and private health workers who may contract severe Covid-19 infection while in the line of duty. This will be based on his/her clinical abstracts and the final diagnosis of their attending physician.
Mr. Junsay is a mild Covid-19 confirmed case.
We have attached the video and the non-verbatim statement transcribed during the Covid-19 media briefing on June 9, 2020 held at DOH-CHD-CAR office.
“Initially, when I called the Infectious Disease Expert and the Medical Center Chief (BGHMC), sabi niya mild cases (All health worker Covid-19 cases in BGHMC) but they reviewed further the documents and they found out one na nagqualify and eligible for the 100K assistance kasi critical ang kanyang Covid, meron siyang “other diseases” and actually nagmanifest muna yung other disease niya, na-admit siya sa ICU and na-admit siya for more than a month because he had a very serious heart problem na Covid positive din siya and he is a Covid-19 health worker.
Naibigay na po ang kanyang cheque last Saturday because of the pronouncement of PRRD (President Rodrigo R. Duterte) that we should give and this is actually a continuing benefit na ibibigay sa ating mga critical and severe cases of Covid for health workers. They will receive 100K for severe and critical, and one million for the death of Covid-19 worker.”
We do understand the plight of everyone, especially the frontline health workers during this pandemic, but this is not the right time to spread false hope and create another chaos. Our efforts might not be enough, but we are doing our very best to provide the services and right information to the best we can. We are always open to accommodate any concerns and suggestions, for we believe in the Cordillera spirit of “binnadang.”
I hope the Courier will look into this as the information is far from what my office has released. — AMELITA M. PANGILINAN, MD, OIC Director IV, Department of Health-CAR