Latest news with #ExecutiveOrderNo.64
GMA Network
10-06-2025
- Health
- GMA Network
Marcos grants P7,000 annual medical allowance for DepEd personnel
President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. has approved the release of a P7,000 annual medical allowance for public school teachers and non-teaching personnel of the Department of Education (DepEd). 'This is our way of recognizing the commitment of our teachers and staff. This allowance is a way to give back and ensure they never have to choose between their health and the stress of medical bills,' said Education Secretary Sonny Angara. The initiative, formalized under Executive Order No. 64, s. 2024 and supported by Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Circular No. 2024-6, seeks to ease the burden of out-of-pocket medical expenses and promote better health outcomes among educators and staff, particularly those in low-income, remote, or high-risk areas. DepEd Order No. 16, s. 2025 lays out the guidelines for the grant, offering three options for employees to access the benefit: Enrollment in group Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) packages procured by DepEd, Individual purchase or renewal of HMO-type products Direct cash payment via payroll, especially for those in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs) or without access to HMO services. Eligible recipients include all permanent, co-terminus, fixed-term, casual, and contractual personnel who have rendered at least six months of service within the year. Excluded are those without a formal employer-employee relationship with DepEd, such as consultants, job order workers, apprentices, and student laborers. DepEd emphasized that for those availing of individual HMOs or direct cash options, the P7,000 allowance will be disbursed through payroll even before the submission of receipts or supporting documents. However, failure to comply with documentation requirements may lead to the suspension of the following year's allowance. 'This is a realization of the Magna Carta for Public School Teachers,' DepEd added, citing Republic Act No. 4670, which mandates health benefits for educators. The agency said the program is expected to reduce absenteeism, enhance staff morale, and strengthen the resilience of the teaching force—particularly in underserved communities. The rollout of the medical allowance is part of the Marcos administration's broader push to improve the welfare of government workers and recognize the critical role of educators in nation-building. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
The Star
08-05-2025
- Health
- The Star
Health workers in Philippines demand higher pay, release of incentives
MANILA: As the country observed Health Workers' Day on Wednesday (May 7), a group of healthcare workers reiterated their demands for a wage increase, better working conditions, and the release of their long-overdue benefits. Members of the Alliance of Health Workers (AHW) unions aired their concerns during a 'noise barrage protest' held in front of the Philippine Orthopedic Center in Quezon City during their lunch break. 'Health workers, along with other government employees, are currently not receiving a living wage. A Salary Grade 1 employee in a public hospital earns only P13,500 per month, which is nearly one-third of the P33,000 monthly living wage calculated for a family of five,' said Ricardo Antonio, National Orthopedic Hospital Union-AHW president. 'In fact, even the P33,000 figure only covers the most basic expenses, including the lowest monthly rent, food, utilities, clothing, transportation and public education amid the rising costs of goods and services. Notably, this amount does not account for health care or recreational expenses,' he said. Health-care workers have been demanding entry-level salaries of P33,000 for private and public health workers and P50,000 for nurses and other allied health professionals such as medical technologists, pharmacists, respiratory therapists, radiologic technologists, dietitians, and physical therapists. Subject to taxes While the AHW welcomed the salary increases to be implemented from 2024 to 2027 under President Marcos' Executive Order No. 64, it noted that these were subject to various taxes. 'Even the benefits that are supposed to serve as incentives are being used to supplement the shortfall in [our] wages, yet these too are subject to tax deductions. As a result, health workers are left with only a small amount of their salary or, worse, none at all,' said Paul Gubaton, president of the Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center Employees Union-AHW. According to the group, severe understaffing and the contractualization of personnel are rampant in public and private hospitals, which contribute to the poor quality of health-care services. 'The dire conditions of health workers have not improved under President Marcos Jr.'s nearly three-year tenure; in fact, they've worsened. This has resulted in a depleted, demoralised, and burned-out workforce, with many resigning or retiring early due to low wages, unpaid benefits, lack of job security, and unsafe workplace,' AHW said. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
