MANILA – Department of Health (DOH) secretary Francisco Duque III has pinned the blame on his staff for the delayed release of the law-mandated benefits for health workers who died or were infected with the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Duque, in a meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte in Davao City that was aired on Friday morning, said his DOH staff has no sense of urgency in completing the delayed benefits.
“Nakakahiya talaga, sir eh. Namatayan na nga tapos nagpaka wardy-wardy ‘yung mga tao ko na parang walang sense of urgency,” Duque told President Duterte. “Iyon ang talagang ang sama-sama po ng loob ko, Mr. President.”
“We will comply, Mr. President, with your deadline,” the DOH official added. “The beneficiaries were already identified.”
In response to Duque’s evasion of responsibility, President Duterte ordered the DOH secretary to form a new team to take over the distribution of cash benefits.
“Now I am asking Sec. Duque to form a new team that would focus on the immediate delivery of the assistance that should be given to ‘yung namatay at nagkasakit. I expect it within 24 hours,” Duterte told Duque.
Duque later defended his controversial statements as he took the social media to acknowledge that the distribution of monetary benefits was part of his responsibilities as head of the health department.
“While I expressed disappointment towards some members of my team, I acknowledge that this is still my responsibility as SOH (Secretary of Health),” Duque wrote on his Twitter account.
“I will make sure that we comply with the Bayanihan to Heal As One Act, with proper documentation and identification of HCWs (healthcare workers),” he added.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said on Thursday that President Duterte was very much indignant with the delay and has set June 9 deadline for the distribution of monetary benefits.
Under Republic Act No. 11469 or the Bayanihan to Heal As One Act, public and private health workers who contract severe COVID-19 infection while in the line of duty will receive a compensation of P100,000 and those who died “while fighting the COVID-19 pandemic” will be compensated with P1 million./PN
