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Health workers set to protest non-payment of emergency allowance
By Gabriellea Pariño
SOME health worker unions are set to march to the Department of Health (DOH) in Manila to press their demand for the release of their Health Emergency Allowance (HEA) by both private and public hospitals.
Jao Clumia, spokesman of the Private Healthcare Worker’s Network said in a radio interview that they will march from
Tayuman Street in Sta. Cruz to the DOH compound in San Lazaro to raise their concerns to the agency despite heavy rains.
“We have not yet received our health emergency allowance for COVID even though our respective human resource units have already uploaded the requirements asked of us by the DOH,” Clumia said.
He also said the march would only be the beginning of their crusade to express their concern for equal pay and treatment for health workers.
Clumia further called on healthcare professionals around the country to join their cause which he called a desperate plea for equality.
Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said earlier this week that they were trying to find a more efficient way to distribute HEAs through the General
Appropriations Act. He also said the department was working on getting the list of names of workers that have yet to receive their pay which will be sent through their ATM accounts. Meanwhile, the United Private Hospital Unions of the Philippines (UPHUP) is also set to protest in front of the DOH compound to raise concerns on emergency pay.
House seen to pass bill on anti-foreign currency smuggling, other measures
THE House of Representatives is set to pass on third and final reading next week House Bill (HB) 8200 that would penalize the smuggling of foreign currency and other monetary instruments in bulk into or out of the country.
Likely passage of the measure was seen after the House approved on second reading the proposed “Anti-Bulk Foreign Currency Smuggling Act” through a voice voting Tuesday.
The bill mandates that any person who intends to transport foreign currency equivalent to $10,000 or more would be required to declare it under oath using a prescribed form. The form would contain the following information:
1) personal information, including name, date of birth, citizenship, passport number, permanent address, and occupation; 2) details of travel; 3) legal capacity; 4) information on the owner or sender of the foreign currency; 5) information on the recipient of the same; and 6) information on the foreign currency, such as its type, amount, and purpose of the transport.
Under the bill, bulk foreign currency smuggling is committed when the amount being transported exceeds $200,000, and when the currency declaration requirement is evaded. Similarly, the House passed on second reading HB 8320, which would standardize the retirement benefits of justices, judges, and judiciary officials conferred with judicial rank, salary, and privileges.
It proposes to provide the salary and the highest monthly aggregate of transportation, representation, and other allowances to any judiciary official conferred with the same rank as a justice or judge. Maricel V. Cruz
THE Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Thursday recognized the suspension order imposed by the Misamis Occidental provincial board against Bonifacio town Mayor Samson Dumanjug.
The DILG, citing Administrative Order 22, series of 2011, said the suspension order by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (Provincial Board) was appealable before the Office of the President (OP) within 15 days from issuance of the directive.
“However, Mayor Dumanjug did not file an appeal. The 2023 suspension order against Mayor Dumanjug thus became final and executory. Further, there was no stay of execution issued by any proper office or court. In recognizing the Suspension Order, the DILG complied with and followed the law,” the agency said in a statement.
On Tuesday, Misamis Occidental Gov. Henry Oaminal appeared before the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs for the hearing into the matter called by its chairman, Sen. Ronald dela Rosa. Dela Rosa, in calling for the probe, cited the letter complaint of the Dumanjug couple that local police officers and local government executives subjected them to alleged inhumane and violent treatment when they were evicted from the municipal hall building last June 16. Oaminal said law enforcement agents were compelled to use force in enforcing the suspension order on Dumanjug and his wife, Vice Mayor Evelyn Dumajug, to resume the delivery of basic services to their constituents.
Vince Lopez
DOLE settles P173-m claims by 2,904 C. Visayas workers
THE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has awarded more than P173 million to displaced and affected workers who were assisted by the agency under the Single Entry Approach (SEnA) program.
In a statement, the DOLE said the amount benefited 2,904 workers from Central Visayas, which covered various monetary claims that revolved around underpayment of wages; maternity claims; and non-payment of thirteenth month pay, holiday pay, night shift differential, service incentive leave, and overtime pay, among others. The largest amount of monetary awards were recorded in May with a total of P103.5 million given to 1,136 workers.
Meanwhile, the DOLE also facilitated the release of the following monetary awards: P43.7 million to 887 affected workers in March; P11.8 million to 405 workers in February; P8.1 million to 221 workers in January; P3.9 million to 159 workers in June; and P1.7 million to 96 workers in April.
DOLE-7 Regional Director Lilia Estillore said SEnA was an alternative dispute mechanism to hasten the settlement dispute between the employers and workers. Vito Barcelo
Remulla discloses jail guards fraud at New Bilibid Prison
By Rey E. Requejo
JUSTICE Secretary Jesus Crispin
Remulla has charged that jail guards at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City take 10 to 20 percent cut from the financial support that the inmates get from their relatives outside the penitentiary.
Remulla made the statement during a public hearing conducted by the House Committee on Public Order and Safety in connection with the disappearance of NBP inmate Michael Cataroja.
Remulla admitted that each inmate was allotted only with meager daily food budget of P70.
“This is for three meals already: breakfast, lunch, dinner. P70 a day...I think we all know that is not enough,” Remulla told the lawmakers.
To cope with the shortage of their sustenance, the inmates resorted to asking for money from outside the national penitentiary, he said.
“But the problem is, when it comes to this financial support, the jail guards take a cut from it,” he disclosed.
“With the GCash system, the guards take a 10 to 20 percent commission before the sent money is given to the person,” Remulla said, referring to the popular, mobile phone-based e-wallet.
