GOCC health workers demand release of allowance

GOCC Health Workers Demand Release of Allowance A Fight for Fairness and Accountability

As healthcare professionals play a vital role in keeping our communities healthy, it's crucial to acknowledge their demands for fair compensation and benefits. In this blog post, we'll delve into the ongoing struggle of government-owned or -controlled corporation (GOCC) health workers seeking the release of their medical allowance benefits.

The Background A Right to Fair Compensation

In 2024, Executive Order No. 64 was signed, authorizing a medical allowance of up to P7,000 per year for qualified government civilian personnel starting in 2025. This benefit is intended as a subsidy for health maintenance organization (HMO)-type benefits. However, GOCC hospital management disputes that their employees are already covered by the Magna Carta of Public Health Workers, or Republic Act 7305, which provides entitlement to medical treatment and services.

The Protest A Call for Fairness and Accountability

On Wednesday, health workers from government-owned or -controlled corporation (GOCC) hospitals, including the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI), the Philippine Children's Medical Center, and the Lung Center of the Philippines, staged a protest at the NKTI in Quezon City. The protesters demanded the immediate release of their annual benefits for 2025, which amount to a total of P7,000 per employee.

The Concerns An Unequal Treatment

The group claimed that while Department of Health (DOH)-run hospitals and government employees from various agencies have already received the said medical allowance, GOCC hospitals have yet to receive theirs. This disparity raises serious concerns about fairness, consistency, and accountability in the implementation of Executive Order No. 64.

The Union's Stand A Right to Fair Compensation

Union leaders rejected management's stance, arguing that benefits under EO 64 and RA 7305 should be separate and not treated as mutually exclusive. They emphasized that every peso counts for their families, especially with the rising cost of living. We have earned this allowance through our continued service, especially amid difficult working conditions. It is our right to receive the full P7,000 in cash, said Jocelyn Guinto, president of the National Kidney and Transplant Institute Employees Association-AHW.

The DOH's Response A Call for Clarification

In response, the Department of Health (DOH) encouraged those affected to appeal the denial by management of any asserted benefits to the board of trustees of the GOCC hospitals. The department emphasized that pursuing a legal remedy is the best recourse for immediate resolution.

The Way Forward A Fight for Fairness and Accountability

As healthcare workers continue to demand fair compensation and benefits, it's essential to recognize their struggles and concerns. The fight for fairness and accountability will not be silenced, and health workers will continue to call for their denied and legally mandated benefits.

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Edward Lance Arellano Lorilla

CEO / Co-Founder

Enjoy the little things in life. For one day, you may look back and realize they were the big things. Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.