Section 5Sec./Art. 5

Grant of Health Emergency Allowance, Compensation Package and Other Benefits. -The national government shall grant the following benefits to covered individuals under Section 4 hereof:

(a) Health emergency allowance (HEA) for every month of service during the state of public health emergency based on the risk exposure categorization as defined in this Act, as follows:

(1) Those deployed in low risk areas shall be given at least Three thousand pesos (P3,000.00);

(2) Those deployed in medium risk areas shall be given at least Six thousand pesos (P6,000.00);

(3) Those deployed in high risk areas shall be given at least Nine thousand pesos (P9,000.00).

Provided,That the HEA shall be released monthly in addition to the existing benefits that the health care and non-health care workers receive:Provided, further,That the HEA shall be released in full if a health worker or non-health care worker physically renders services for at least ninety-six (96) hours in a month; otherwise, the benefit shall be prorated.

Subject to the approval of the President, and in consultation with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), the DOH may increase the amounts of the HEA, taking into consideration the cost of necessary expenses incurred by health care and non-health care workers in rendering services at the time of public health emergency.

(b) Compensation to those who have contacted COVID-19 in the line of duty, as follows:

(1) In case of death of the covered individual, One million pesos (P1,000,000.00) shall be provided to the heirs of the covered individuals;

(2) In case of sickness, for a severe or critical case, One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) shall be provided to the covered individuals; and

(3) In case of sickness, for a mild or moderate case, Fifteen thousand pesos (P15,000.00) shall be provided to the covered individuals.

The compensation provided herein shall be given to the beneficiaries not later than three (3) months after the date of confinement or death and upon submission of complete and compliant documentary requirements.

For purpose of future public health emergencies, the DOH and the DBM, subject to the approval of the President, may modify the case categorization and compensation.

(c) Full PhilHealth coverage for direct health care costs of hospitalized health care and non-health care workers due to COVID-19.

For future national public health emergencies, PhilHealth coverage for direct health care costs of hospitalized health care and non-health care workers shall be subject to fund availability and the Health Technology Assessment Council (HTAC) assessment and recommendation.

(d) Regular testing of health care and non-health care workers, as often as necessary, to be determined by the DOH which shall be fully covered by the PhilHealth.