(Photo from AHW)
According to the Alliance of Health Workers, as of June 30, some health workers from public hospitals only got 30 percent of the funds recalled from the DOH for their meal, accommodation, and transportation (MAT) benefits for the period of September to December 2020.
The other 70 percent of the budget left intended for health workers’ accommodation and transportation allowance “were withheld by the DOH,” while January to June 2021 MAT benefits “are yet to be released.”
“Worse, our fellow health workers from the private and LGUs did not receive their MAT benefit covering the period from September-December 19, 2020. We call on the DOH to stop deceiving and dividing us, release the remaining budget for our accommodation and transportation so as the MAT of private and LGU health workers.” Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center Employees Union-AHW president Cristy Donguines said.