Volunteer health workers to receive compensation

MANILA, Philippines — The government is studying the provision of P1,500 daily wage, P500 hazard pay and P500 risk allowance for job order, contractual, volunteer and licensed nurses as well as other health service workers, Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go said yesterday.

In a recent meeting with Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado and Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, Go said the officials agreed to the possibility of giving skilled volunteers compensation that is close to the amount being received by government health workers but computed on a daily rate.

The compensation is aside from the funds allocated to equip health workers and enhance health facilities.

“Funding should not be a problem,” Go said, adding the amount may be sourced from the maintenance and other operating expenses of the Department of Health [DOH] and Department of Budget and Management [DBM]. 

By considering them as job orders or contract service workers, Go said these workers would also be qualified to receive hazard pay in accordance with a recent memorandum issued by the DBM.

Go said on top of the hazard pay, the DBM is  proposing additional risk allowance for the  frontliners. 

“Qualified volunteers can receive hazard pay and risk allowance if they will be considered as job order and not just volunteers. We will use government funds to encourage volunteers and at the same time respect their profession,” Go said, adding that “in this time of crisis, we need all the help to defeat the virus.”

Go computed the possible compensation that nurses, doctors or nursing graduates who wish to volunteer may receive if his recommendation is granted based on his initial discussions with DBM and DOH officials. 

“If a volunteer is licensed nurse, he will receive around 1,200 pesos per day which is almost equivalent to the salary of Nurse 1, plus P500 hazard pay and perhaps another P500 risk allowance per day,” Go said.

With this example, a licensed nurse volunteer may get around 2,200 per day within the duration agreed upon with the DOH, that will be stated in their individual contracts. 

A licensed doctor at a DOH-run hospital receives P59,353 per month, which is Salary Grade 21.

“Volunteer doctors may be given a similar amount but computed on a daily basis,” Go said. 

Go suggested that qualified volunteers, who are nursing graduates but without work experience and unlicensed, can be compensated with a lower daily rate of around P1,000 pesos per day plus hazard pay and other applicable allowances. 

The DOH initially offered qualified volunteers with an allowance, free food and accommodation and insurance in case they get infected with COVID-19.

So far, 593 health workers have signed up to help the government contain the pandemic, the DOH said, adding qualified volunteers will work in one of three hospitals in Metro Manila where COVID-related cases are referred to.

Go recognized the role being played by frontliners in this crisis.

“We thank these frontliners for their public service. We commend all our frontliners — health workers, doctors and nurses — who sacrificed their lives to save their fellow Filipinos. You are the heroes in this war,” he said.