Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah "Mina" Pangandaman has approved the release of an additional Notice of Cash Allocation (NCA) amounting to P8.005 billion to cover cash requirements of the Department of Health (DOH) for the implementation of its key health programs. 

The amount will be utilized for the provision of Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially-Incapaciated Patients (MAIP) with an allocation of P2.439 billion, and for the Public Health Emergency Benefits and Allowances (PHEBA) for Healthcare and Non-Healthcare workers with an allocation of P5.566 billion.

"As we have committed, we will continue to support programs that seek to uphold the welfare of our kababayans. The directive of President BongBong Marcos has been very clear since day one -- priority shall be given to healthcare. At kasama po diyan ang pagkalinga sa mga pasyente at mga manggagawa sa healthcare sector," DBM Secretary Mina Pangandaman said.

MAIP is used for the hospitalization and medical support of indigent and financially incapacitated patients including but not limited to, in-patient, out-patient, comprehensive check-ups, and emergency services, as well as drugs, medicines, and professional fees, among others. Apart from indigent individuals, those who demonstrate the inability to pay or spend the necessary expenditures for their medical treatment may receive medical assistance.

Meanwhile, PHEBA covers all healthcare workers' benefits, including Health Emergency Allowance (HEA)/One COVID-19 Allowance (OCA), Special Risk Allowance (SRA), COVID-19 Sickness and Death Compensation, and other benefits, such as meal, accommodation, and transportation allowance.