Proposed 2024 budget sets aside P20-B for healthcare workers' allowances, COVID-19 compensation

A total of P20 billion has been allocated for the allowances and COVID-19 compensation package for healthcare workers in the budget for fiscal year 2024.

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. said in the 2024 budget message that the amount would be allotted for the health emergency allowance and COVID-19 compensation package for eligible and non-eligible healthcare workers.

Further, the National Health Workforce Support System will also be provided with P18.0 billion "to bolster our healthcare workforce and equip them for deployment in remote and depressed areas to provide promotive and curative services."

In his second State of the Nation Address, Marcos vowed that the government would release the COVID-19 health emergency allowance and other benefits that are due for healthcare workers.

Marcos said the government is refocusing its health priorities, "applying the lessons learnt from the pandemic and addressing the weaknesses that it has exposed."

Department of Budget and Management Secretary Amenah Pangandaman earlier submitted the P5.768 trillion proposed budget for 2024 to the House of Representatives.

The amount shows a 9.5% increase from this year’s appropriations.

The DBM said that the proposed national budget for next year "shall continue to prioritize expenditure items that promote social and economic transformation through infrastructure development, food security, digital transformation, and human capital development." —VAL, GMA Integrated News