“Ibigay ang dapat ibigay sa ating health workers!”

This was the sentiment of Manoy Wilbert “Wise” Lee as he called on the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the Department of Health (DOH) to expedite the release of long-delayed Performance-Based Bonuses (PBB) for government health workers, and stressed their vital role as frontliners during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Our health workers continue to brave life-threatening conditions, whether there is pandemic or not, to save countless lives. Hindi katanggap-tanggap at hindi makatarungan na hindi ito naibibigay sa kanila,” Lee said in a statement.

“Hindi ito kabayaran, kundi pagkilala sa kanilang mga sakripisyo at pagpapahalaga sa kanilang kabayanihan. Hindi na nga dapat pahirapan o ipinapanawagan pa ito, dapat agaran na itong ibinibigay,” he added.

The Bicolano lawmaker said that the annual PBBs, which have been unpaid for the past three years, would provide much-needed financial relief, especially for health workers who were affected by recent natural calamities affecting different parts of the country.

“Isang insulto sa mga sakripisyo ng health workers ang matagal na pag-release ng kanilang bonus,” Lee said.

“Sa kasagsagan ng pandemya, ginusto ba nating tipirin nila tayo ng kalinga at dedikasyon para mapagaling tayo sa sakit? Bakit ngayon parang tinitipid sila ng gobyerno?” he pointed out.

Lee urged the DBM and DOH to prioritize the welfare of the health workers, citing their critical role in addressing the nation’s health emergencies.

“We owe it to them to ensure that they are supported and valued. This is the least we can do for those who risked their lives for us. Kaya dapat ang gobyerno, hindi na maging pabigat pa sa kanila,” the solon from Bicol said.

He likewise called for transparency and accountability from the agencies involved, stressing that health workers and the public deserve to know the reasons behind the protracted delays.

“Huwag hintaying lumipas na naman ang isang taon bago nila makuha ito. Our health workers deserve better!” Lee stressed.

The Alliance of Health Workers (AHW) earlier appealed to DBM and DOH for the release of their PBBs, stating that many of their colleagues in government hospitals have been struggling to make ends meet.

The AHW previously noted that the bonuses from as far back as 2021 remain unpaid, with no clear timeline for their disbursement.