Recto: Compensation for health workers stricken with COVID-19 should be tax-free

Katrina Domingo, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2020/news/04/21/20200419-covid19-kalinga-center-san-juan-gcs-9558.jpg"/><figcaption>A health worker interviews a patient at the San Juan COVID-19 Kalinga Center on April 19, 2020. Gigie Cruz, ABS-CBN News</figcaption></figure></div>MANILA - The compensation for health workers who died or were severely ill due to COVID-19 should be tax-free, Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto said Thursday after President Rodrigo Duterte imposed a June 9 deadline for the grant of the benefit.Senators earlier found that the Department of Health failed to disburse a promised P1 million for each health worker who died from COVID-19, and P100,000 each for those who were severely ill due to the disease, about 2 months since the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act - which guaranteed the said benefit - was passed.&quot;The taxman should not have a share of the state&#x27;s monetary thank you to these heroes,&quot; Recto said. &quot;&#x27;Yung mga pabuya nga sa mga atletang nagkamedalya walang buwis, ito pa kayang para sa mga totoong nagbuwis buhay?&quot; he said.(The cash grant given to athletes who won medals are tax-free, what more for those who literally risked their lives?)<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/06/04/20/duterte-sets-june-9-deadline-for-covid-19-cash-benefits-of-health-workers">Duterte sets June 9 deadline for COVID-19 cash benefits of health workers</a></li></ul>Prior to Duterte&#x27;s deadline, the DOH said the cash grant was not disbursed due to the delayed drafting of implementing rules and regulations for the law.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/06/02/20/serious-neglect-senators-flag-doh-for-delayed-p1m-aid-for-every-health-worker-who-died-of-covid-19">&#x27;Serious neglect&#x27;: Senators flag DOH for delayed P1M aid for every health worker who died of COVID-19</a></li></ul>As of June 1, 2020, 32 health care workers have died from COVID-19, while 2 others remain severely ill. Of those who died, 26 were physicians, 4 were nurses, and 2 were non-medical staff.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/21/20/health-workers-in-philippines-catching-covid-19-worrisome-who-official">Health workers in Philippines catching COVID-19 &#x27;worrisome&#x27;: WHO official</a></li></ul>

The compensation for health workers who died or were severely ill due to COVID-19 should be tax-free, Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto said Thursday after President Rodrigo Duterte imposed a June 9 deadline for the grant of the benefit.

The compensation for health workers who died or were severely ill due to COVID-19 should be tax-free, Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto said Thursday after President Rodrigo Duterte imposed a June 9 deadline for the grant of the benefit.

Recto: Compensation for health workers stricken with COVID-19 should be tax-free

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Recto: Compensation for health workers stricken with COVID-19 should be tax-free

Katrina Domingo,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jun 04, 2020 02:09 PM PHT

Read More:

Department of Health

COVID-19

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