Albay: Albay 3rd District Representative Raymond Adrian Salceda has called on the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the Department of Health (DOH) to swiftly finalize simplified guidelines for distributing the overdue Health Emergency Allowance (HEA) to healthcare workers who served during the Covid-19 pandemic. This appeal follows the recent signing of the 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA) by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

According to Philippines News Agency, the GAA allocates PHP6.77 billion for Public Health Emergency Benefits and Allowances (PHEBA) for both health and non-health workers. Salceda emphasized the need for expedited action from the DBM and DOH, suggesting that healthcare workers use affidavits to attest to their eligibility and service to streamline the process. These affidavits would be validated by the DOH, allowing the DBM to release payments, with post-audit verification by the Commission on Audit (COA).

Salceda highlighted the current system's inefficiencies, burdened by excessive documentary requirements, leading to unresolved claims. He proposed the affidavit approach to address these delays effectively. Furthermore, Salceda has filed House Resolution No. 127, urging the DBM and DOH to ensure full HEA payment to all eligible health workers, determine the total unpaid amount, and incorporate it into the national budget.

Expressing gratitude, Salceda acknowledged Speaker Martin 'Bojie' Dy and House Appropriations Committee Chair Mikaela Angela Suansing for including HEA funding in the final budget, and commended the DBM and DOH for their coordination in settling the government's obligations to health frontliners.

The Health Emergency Allowance, mandated under Republic Act No. 11712, provides monthly allowances ranging from PHP3,000 to PHP9,000 based on a worker's risk exposure during a public health emergency. Despite the DBM releasing over PHP121 billion for PHEBA from 2020 to early 2025, many claims remain unpaid due to record-keeping gaps.

In addition, Salceda has introduced House Bill No. 7033, or the 'PhilHealth Benefits Tax Exemption Act,' to exempt PhilHealth benefits received by healthcare workers from income tax, addressing an inequity compared to GSIS and SSS benefits.