DOH to establish grievance board

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) will set up a grievance board that will investigate the failure of granting COVID-19 benefits and allowances to eligible health care workers (HCWs).

The grievance mechanism will “receive, investigate, adjudicate and recommend actions to arrive at settlement of complaints related to failure of giving out the benefits and allowances to deserving HCWs and non-HCWs as well,” according to an administrative order.

“The use of alternative dispute resolution is recognized as a means of resolving concerns, complaints or grievances,” it added.

Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said the DOH will coordinate with the Department of Labor and Employment in implementing the grievance mechanism, which constitutes the creation of a Central Ad hoc Grievance Board and Regional Ad hoc Grievance Boards.

Herbosa stressed that excluded from the scope of this mechanism are delays in the payment of claims for benefits and allowances due to incomplete and non-compliance submission of documentary requirements, state health insurer payments not related to the grant of benefits, claims for other benefits and compensation given under other laws and conflicting claims of the heirs of beneficiaries.

The DOH advised those who intend to utilize the grievance mechanism to submit a duly accomplished form to the grievance board secretariat.

Health care workers who worked at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic have lamented the delay in receiving their allowance and benefits.