Compensation grant up for private health workers who contracted or succumbed to COVID-19

This undated electron microscope image shows SARS-CoV-2, also known as novel coronavirus, the virus that causes COVID-19. NIAID-RML/Handout via REUTERS.

CEBU CITY, Philippines – Private health workers, who contracted severe Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and the authorized representative or dependent of private health workers who contracted severe COVID-19 and died, may now apply for a grant of compensation to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-7.

This is pursuant to Section 4, paragraph f of Republic Act (R.A.) 11469 or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act.

In an advisory issued by DOLE-7 Regional Director Salome Siaton, which was posted today, March 18, 2021, on their Facebook page, a private health worker who contracted severe COVID-19 disease and recovered from it can receive a compensation of P100,000.

Meanwhile, an authorized representative or dependent of a private health worker who became a COVID-19 casualty can claim a P1 million compensation.

A private health worker who recovered from the virus would just need to submit the following requirements: Duly accomplished form prescribed by DOLE; Certificate of Employment; Medical Abstract signed by the attending physician; and photocopy of any two valid government-issued IDs.

For an authorized representative or dependent, aside from the requirements mentioned above, they must also submit an original copy of the Death Certificate issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) or a PSA-authenticated death certificate issued by the Local Government Unit (LGU).

The advisory added that all applications, after being thoroughly verified and evaluated on their completeness, will be forwarded by DOLE-7 to the Department of Health (DOH)-7.

The DOH-7 shall send an official notification to the applicants once their claim is approved and available for release or when the same is disapproved. /rcg