The Department of Health (DOH) has assured that it will be releasing updates this May regarding the recently released additional P5.566 billion by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) for the Public Health Emergency Benefits and Allowances (PHEBA) intended for both healthcare and non-healthcare workers.

This follows the statement made by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., stating that a total of P59.8 billion has already been distributed to medical frontline workers for their health emergency allowances during the COVID-19 pandemic. The President noted that this amount represents 78.92% of the COVID-19 health emergency allowances that the government had allocated for health workers.

In correspondence with Taguig.com, the DOH sent out this statement: "The Department of Health (DOH) is working with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to facilitate payment of the health emergency allowance (HEA). We will provide updates within the month as to the latest disbursement figures, given the recent release by the DBM of additional cash."

In the latest approved additional disbursement of P8.005 billion by the DBM to the DOH, it includes provisions for the Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially-Incapacitated Patients (MAIP) amounting to P2.439 billion, as well as the PHEBA for healthcare and non-healthcare workers amounting to P5.566 billion.

The MAIP is used for hospitalization and medical support for poor and financially-incapacitated patients, including in-patient and out-patient services, check-ups, emergency services, medications, and doctor's fees.

The PHEBA, on the other hand, covers benefits for healthcare workers including the Health Emergency Allowance/One Covid-19 Allowance, Special Risk Allowance, Covid-19 Sickness and Death Compensation, and other benefits such as food, accommodation, and transportation.