Gaane to look into SRA payments of JRBGH medical workers

THE request for an inquiry on the status of the release of the COVID-19 Special Risk Allowances (SRA) of medical personnel, particularly, doctors and nurses of the city-owned J. R. Borja General Hospital (JRBGH) will be tackled by the City Council committee on health and health insurance chaired by Councilor Maria Lourdes S. Gaane.

This is in relation to the proposed resolution filed by Councilor Malvern Esparcia regarding the matter which was submitted to the said committee.

Section 4 of RA 11469 provides that as a temporary emergency measure the government will provide COVID-19 special risk allowance (SRA) to all public health workers (PHWs) in addition to the hazard pay granted under RA 7305.

Councilor Esparcia said Local Government Units (LGUs) are one of the institutions authorized to grant a one-time COVID-19 SRA equivalent to a maximum of 25 percent of monthly basic salary to PHWs who are exposed to health risks and physical hardships in the line of duty during the pandemic, based on Administrative Order No. 26 of 2020.

He said health personnel, including non-health workers, courageously risk their lives and the health of their families to support the government in addressing the on going pandemic.

Esparcia cited that more delays in the release of the allowances will worsen the financial stability of families of the health workers amidst the increasing inflation rate of the country.