COVID-19 Cases Soar, Government Ignores: Health Workers In The Philippines Hold Protests

Philippines COVID-19 vaccination illustration. (Wikimedia Commons/Easter Anne Doza/Philippine Information Agency)

JAKARTA - Dozens of Filipino health workers staged a protest in the capital Manila Wednesday, demanding an end to government waivers and unpaid benefits, as pressure on hospitals increases due to COVID-19.

Protesters wearing full personal protective equipment, from medical masks, face shields to protective gowns, gathered at the Department of Health (DOH), holding placards demanding their risk benefits and hazard payments, as well as the resignation of Health Minister Francisco Duque.

The Philippines passed the 2 million mark in coronavirus cases on Wednesday, with one-fifth recorded in the past month alone. Medical staff is overwhelmed with 103 having died during the pandemic, among about 33,500 coronavirus deaths overall.

"Sadly, many of us have died, many of us have become ill, and many have resigned or chose to retire early, and yet we are still kneeling before DOH to give us our benefits", Robert Mendoza, President of the Alliance of Healthcare Workers, quoted Reuters, September 1.

Meanwhile, President Rodrigo Duterte gave the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Finance 10 days from August 21 to pay health workers, following threats by nurses to resign and union warnings of a strike.

"The government promised to provide benefits today but so far it hasn't. It's a pity for us because we asked for it", said nurse Nico Oba.

Meanwhile, President Duterte has backed Health Minister, Duque, during repeated calls for his resignation. Most recently, Duque was urged to resign regarding the findings of the state auditor regarding the budget for handling COVID-19.

Duque on Wednesday told Reuters the Philippine government was working on releasing the benefits but asked for more time.

Separately, the Philippine Nurses' Association held its own virtual protest to demand better working conditions and more staff in hospitals, nearly a third of whom have reached a 'critical level' with an occupancy rate of more than 85 percent, according to government data.

For information, such as countries in Southeast Asia that have low vaccination rates, there was a spike in infection cases due to the Delta variant and recorded a daily record of 22,366 cases on Monday.