Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines president Dr. Jose Rene de Grano on Tuesday said healthcare workers in some private hospitals have not received their ‘One Covid’ allowance.

In a television interview, de Grano disclosed there are healthcare workers from private hospitals who are still waiting for their benefits, and about half of them have left their jobs for work opportunities abroad.

“Supposedly, na-release na ‘yan ng DBM [Department of Budget and Management]. Nagtataka po kami hanggang ngayon ‘di pa rin nare-receive ng different hospitals natin (Supposedly, the DBM has already released that. We’re wondering why the different hospitals have not received that),” he said.

Earlier, the Palace said the DBM has already released some PHP7.9 billion for the allowance of healthcare workers who have served as front-liners in the country’s coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) response.

In a Viber message to reporters, the Department of Health said it welcomes closer coordination with all hospitals, including members of PHAPI, to allow for the fast distribution of the ‘One Covid’ allowance to deserving healthcare workers.

The agency said rules and regulations require a memorandum of agreement (MOA) and full accounting or liquidation of any funds previously given in order for the DOH Centers for Health Development (CHD) to transfer funds to private hospitals.

“DOH CHDs welcome the submission of names of the private hospitals encountering difficulties so that the issues can be addressed immediately,” the message read.

On May 25, the DOH said PHP403 million has been allocated to 266 medical facilities and was “readily available.”

However, it said the allocation is “pending and for issuance of check” due to a lack of submitted documents, especially the signed MOA and liquidation report from the previously transferred funds to the health facility. (PNA)