Vice Governor Rene Relampagos pushes for a swifter process of releasing the special risk allowance (SRA) for healthcare frontliners.

During the Presiding Officer’s Time in the regular session of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) on Nov. 23, 2021, Relampagos discussed the request of Gov. Arthur Yap to be granted the authority to sign the amendment to an existing memorandum of agreement (MOA) between the Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) and the Department of Health Central Visayas – Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD) regarding the release of the SRA.

The amendment to the agreement is intended to streamline the transfer process of the funds, which may help reduce delays in distributing the said SRA to qualified public and private healthcare workers.

Covering the period spanning Dec. 20, 2020, to June 30, 2021, the SRA fund downloaded to PGBh has a total amount of more than P80 million, which arrived in two tranches.

Relampagos sees the matter as urgent, considering there are qualified healthcare workers in the province that are still waiting to receive their SRA.

“I understand why our medical frontliners are getting impatient. They were promised a special risk allowance for their dedication and unwavering service,” the vice governor said.

“Dugay na sila ga huwat ani. We need to help expedite the transfer process,” Relampagos added.

The release of Coronavirus disease (Covid) SRA is pursuant to Bayanihan to Recover as One or Bayanihan II Law.

Healthcare workers who directly provided care for or are in contact with Covid positive patients are eligible to receive the SRA.