May kickback si kap? Lawmaker seeks NBI, DOH, DILG help in ‘modus’ involving barangay health workers’ allowance

By Billy Begas

BHW party-list Rep. Angelica Natasha Co has received complaints from barangay health workers that were forced to return part of the allowances that were supposed to be shared to other individuals not included in the payroll.

Co sought the help of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), the Department of Health (DOH), and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to investigate “what seems to be a scam” in Municipal Health Office (MHO) and Rural Health Unit (RHU).

“Late na ngang natanggap ng BHWs yung Special Risk Allowance at hazard pay, ang gusto pa ng ilang taga MHO at RHU ay isoli ng pobreng BHW yung natanggap nila para partehan daw yung mga tanod at ibang staff sa barangay. Aba’y ilegal yun! Iba ang allowance ng tanod at staff, iba ang allowance na para sa BHWs,” Co insisted.

Co said President Rodrigo Duterte acknowledged the “critical and urgent” services that BHWs are rendering in this national public health emergency and ordered the grant of Special Risk Allowance by virtue of Administrative Order 28.

“Isinasakripisyo ng mga BHWs ang sarili para sa kapwa, pero gagamitin pala sila sa isang scam,” Co added.

She also urged the DILG and DOH to clarify the issue and penalize those behind the modus.

“Our BHWs put themselves in harm’s way against COVID-19, but instead of being treated as heroes, they are being preyed upon for their allowances,” Co added.

Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)