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.", 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."to the House of Representatives.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.