Palace says healthcare workers have right to protest unpaid benefits

By Prince Golez

Malacañang respects the right of healthcare workers to air grievances about the delayed release of their special risk allowance (SRA) and other benefits.

The 1987 Constitution protects the right of all Filipinos to peacefully assemble and petition the government for redress of grievances, said Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque.

“Karapatan po ng lahat ng mamamayan na iparating ang kanilang damdamin at siyempre po ‘yan ay protektado ng Saligang Batas,” Roque said during a virtual presser Wednesday.

The secretary, however, said the SRA of public and private healthcare workers has been released.

“Pero yung ating tinatawag na special risk allowance, ‘yan po ay nai-release na,” according to him.

Roque said there were just some delays due to the submission of names by the private sector.

“Nagkaroon po ng konting delay dahil nga dun sa pagsusumite ng mga pangalan sa hanay ng mga pribadong hospital kasi yung special risk allowance ay binigay po ng Kongreso sa lahat ng health workers, hindi lang po sa pang-gobyernong mga health workers,” he explained.

Various medical workers’ groups earlier threatened mass resignation if their benefits were not paid by September 1.

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