Private Health Care Workers Call for Resignations of Top Government Officials Over Delayed Emergency Allowances Release
Private health care workers staged a protest outside the Department of Health regional office in the National Capital Region on Thursday, demanding the resignations of Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa and Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman. The workers accused the officials of negligence and disregarding the needs of health care workers in the country.
Members of the United Private Hospital Unions of the Philippines (UPHUP) expressed frustration over the delayed release of their mandated health emergency allowances (HEA). UPHUP spokesperson Ronald Richie Ignacio questioned why the funds had not been disbursed to private hospital workers, noting that the Department of Budget and Management and the Department of Health were engaging in a “blame game” that was causing confusion and delays.
The situation was further exacerbated by a lack of clarity from the government agencies involved, leaving private health care workers without the financial support they were entitled to. As the protest continued, UPHUP members emphasized the urgency of the situation and called for accountability from government officials.
The delay in releasing the HEA has left private health care workers facing financial uncertainty and added stress during an already challenging time. Despite assurances from the government that funds were available, the failure to disburse these allowances in a timely manner has raised concerns among the health care workers who rely on them.
As the calls for resignations grow louder, the pressure is mounting on Health Secretary Herbosa and Budget Secretary Pangandaman to address the issues and prioritize the needs of private health care workers across the country.
