DBM-DOH jc2022-0002
DBM-DOH jc2022-0002
<Oee Ny
@)
>
Department of Budget and Management
Wiows
of Health
pRIMEN
Department
8g Vy,
%y
*
1936 °
JOINT CIRCULAR NO. 2932-0002
MAY 12 2022
TO Heads of
Departments, Bureaus, Offices and Agencies of the
National Government, and Government-Owned or Controlled
Corporations, Local Government Units and All Others Concerned
BACKGROUND
Under Special Provision (SP) No. 15 of the Department of Health (DOH) budget under the
Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 General Appropriations Act (GAA), Php 1.08 billion was allocated
for the payment of sickness and death compensation claims for all eligible public and
private health care workers (HCWs) and non-HCWs inhealth facilities who contracted
COVID-19 infection and/or died while fighting COVID-19 pandemic in line of duty
during the state of calamity as pronounced by the President. It further stipulates that the
amounts of the COVID-19 sickness and death compensation are as follows: fifteen
thousand pesos (Php 15,000) for mild or moderate case, one hundred thousand pesos (Php
100,000) for severe or critical case, and one million pesos (Php 1,000,000) for COVID-19
death case. Relative thereto, the DOH in compliance with the enactment of Republic Act
Nos. 11469' and 11494? provided the said COVID-19 compensation to eligible health
workers.
I. OBJECTIVE
This Joint Circular (JC) is hereby issued to prescribe the implementing guidelines on the
processing and payment of claims submitted by all eligible HCWs and non-HCWs
pursuant to SP No. 15 of the DOH budget under the FY 2022 GAA.
'
An Act Declaring the Existence of a National Emergency Arising from the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Situation and a National Policy in Connection Therewith, and Authorizing the President of the Republic of the
Philippines for a Limited Period And Subject to Restrictions, to Exercise Powers Necessary and Proper to Carry Out
the Declared National Policy and for Other Purposes Known as Bayanihan to Heal As One Act, which was enacted
On 25 March 2020
?
An Act Providing for COVID-19 Response and Recovery Interventions and Providing Mechanisms to Accelerate
the Recovery and Bolster the Resiliency of the Philippine Economy, Providing Funds Therefor, and for Other
Purposes Known as
Bayanihan to Recover as One Act, which was enacted on 11 September 2022
IL SCOPE AND COVERAGE
This Circular shall apply to all public and private HCWs and non-HCWs assigned in
health facilities who contracted mild or moderate, severe or critical COVID-19 infection
and/or died while in the line of duty reckoning 01 January 2022 until the state of public
health emergency throughout the Philippines due to COVID-19 is lifted.
The following definitions are hereby adopted for the purpose of this JC:
. Health Facilities - shall refer to any public and private institution with health care as their
core service, function or business. Health care pertains to the maintenance or improvement
of the health of individuals or populations through the prevention, diagnosis, treatment,
rehabilitation and chronic management
mental ailments or impairments.
of disease, illness, injury and other physical and
For purposes of this
JC, health facilities shall refer to those duly licensed or designated by
the DOH, including the DOH-Central Office (CO) and its attached agencies, Centers for
Health Development (CHDs), Provincial/City/Municipal Health Offices, Local
Government Health Offices, and Temporary Treatment and Monitoring Facilities
(ITMFs) for COVID-19 response in accordance with the latest National Action Plan
Against COVID-19.
. Casual Appointment - an appointment issued only for essential and necessary services
where there are not enough regular staff to meet the demands of the service and for
emergency cases and intermittent periods not to exceed one year. (Section 9, Rule IV of the
Omnibus Rules on Appointments and Other Human Resource Actions)
H. COVID-19 Response
- shall refer to the implementation of specific activities, anchored
on the National Action Plan Against COVID-19, to control further spread of infection,
outbreaks or epidemics and prevent reoccurrence. It includes verification, contact tracing,
rapid risk assessment, case measures, treatment of patients, vaccination, risk
communication, conduct of prevention activities, and rehabilitation and other support
activities related to the treatment and care of COVID-19 patients.
K. Mild COVID-19 Case -shall refer to symptomatic patients presenting with fever, cough,
fatigue, anorexia, myalgia; other non-specific symptoms such as sore throat, nasal
congestion, headache, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting; loss of smell (anosmia) or loss of
taste (ageusia) preceding the onset of respiratory symptoms with NO signs of pneumonia
or hypoxia.
L. Moderate COVID-19 Case - shall refer to patients with clinical signs of non-severe
pneumonia (e.g. fever, cough, dyspnea, respiratory rate (RR) = 21-30 breaths/minute,
peripheral capillary oxygen saturation (SpO2) >92% on room air).
mild
dysregulated host response to suspected or proven infection. Signs of organ
dysfunction include altered mental status, difficult or fast breathing, low oxygen
saturation, reduced urine output, fast heart rate, weak pulse, cold extremities or
low blood pressure, skin mottling, or laboratory evidence of coagulopathy,
thrombocytopenia, acidosis, high lactate or hyperbilirubinemia; and
Septic Shock - Patients with persistent hypotension despite volume resuscitation,
requiring vasopressors to maintain MAP > 65 mmHg and serum lactate level >2
mmol/L.
A. The following compensations shall be provided to eligible HCWs and non-HCWs who
have contracted COVID-19 infection in the line of duty upon submission of the
complete and compliant documentary requirements to support the claims:
The successive order of priority in the granting of death benefits to the legal heirs of
the deceased HCWs and non-HCWs shall be in accordance with applicable rules of
intestate succession under Republic Act No. 386 or the Civil Code of the Philippines.
In the absence of the foregoing, the death benefits shall revert to the funds set aside for
sickness and death compensation for HCWs and non-HCWs.
1, All HCWs and non-HCWs who contracted the disease or died due to COVID-19 as
confirmed based on the documents submitted and verified as guided by the
requirements in Section VI (B) of
this Circular.
The grant of COVID-19 sickness and death compensation to qualified HCWs and
non-HCWs shall be based on the
following criteria:
ili. HCWs and non-HCWs engaged through Contract of Service (COS) or Job Order
(JO) or emergency hired Human Resources for Health (HRH), duly accredited
volunteer workers including but not limited to swabbers, vaccinators, encoders, bar
coders, contract tracers, ambulance drivers, Barangay Health Emergency Response
Team (BHERT) and barangay health workers (BHWs) provided they are assigned
in health facilities and other health-related establishments as defined in Section IV;
and
3. All eligible HCWs and non-HCWs that are providing clinical, non-clinical,
administrative and other related services for the COVID-19 response.
1 The HCWs and non-HCWs shall ensure completion and compliance of the
requirements as enumerated in Annexes A, B or C, whichever is applicable, prior to
the submission of application for claims.
The concerned evaluator shall ensure that the requirements were given to and
complied with by the HCWs and non-HCWs before processing the claim.
1. All compensation claims shall be filed and processed based on the claimant’s place of
assignment and designated processing offices:
B. Attached Agencies
1. Philippine National AIDS Council
(PNAC)
2. National Nutrition Council (NNC);
3. Philippine Health Insurance
Corporation (PHIC); and
4. Philippine Institute of Traditional
and Alternative Health Care
(PITAHC)
For HCWs and non-HCWs within the| Centers for Health Development
respective areas of responsibilities: (CHDs)
2. All claim applications for sickness or death compensation of HCWs and non-HCWs
shall be submitted to the head of the concerned office/health facility as specified
above, for processing and evaluation. Claims with incomplete requirements shall be
returned to claimants for compliance.
3. All applications shall include an email address where the claimants may receive
notices. It is the responsibility of the claimants to ensure access to such email
addresses and to promptly notify the concerned office/health facility of any changes.
4. The Head ofthe designated processing units shall nominate an appropriate team or unit
to evaluate the claims filed by the HCWs and non-HCWs or their legal beneficiaries as
to the completeness, veracity and eligibility to the requirements pursuant to this
Circular. A two (2) level evaluation can be performed: First, to check the completeness
and authenticity of the submitted documents; and second, to validate the medical
records.
5. Official notifications to the email address provided by the claimants shall be forwarded
by the designated processing units in any of the following circumstances:
v.
(CTC)/authenticated copies of
all documentary requirements;
Application is approved/disapproved; or
vi. Compensation is available for release.
The compensation of
the eligible HCWs or non-HCWs detailed to another government
agency shall be claimed through the DOH healthy facility where they are assigned.
. All concerned offices/health facility designated as processing units shall submit the
necessary fund utilization report to the AFMT to
include the following:
i. Number of claims facilitated, processed,approved/disapproved, and paid and the
date ofreceiptof notification;
ii. Amount of claims paid, remaining funds;
iii, All disapproved claims indicating the reason for disapproval; and
iv. Other information as may be required by the AFMT.
v. To be submitted every Friday of every week on or before the close of business
hours.
3. The DOH
corporatehospitals, MOH-BARMM and the
attached agencies shall submit
liquidation reports in accordance with existing Commission on Audit (COA) rules and
regulations.
E. Motion for Reconsideration and/or Appeal for Claims
L. Prepare and release the guidelines for the sub-allotmentor transfer of funds for the
sickness and benefits compensation to BOQ, FDA, TRCs, DOH retained and
corporate hospitals, attached agencies, CHDs and MOH-BARMM.
Monitor the timely release of the said compensation to eligible HCWs and
non-HCWs assigned in health facilities engaged in COVID-19 response;
Determine the funding requirement for the payment of the sickness and death
compensation; and
Consolidate the reports received from Administrative Service, BOQ, FDA, TRCs,
DOH retained and corporate hospitals, attached agencies, CHDs and
MOH-BARMM.
1. Evaluate and review the sub-allotment or transfer of fund guidelines for the
funding requirement;
2. Download funds to CHDs and DOH Operating Units (DOH retained hospitals,
TRCs, BOQ, and FDA) through the issuance of sub-allotment advice based on the
approved guidelines;
Facilitate the transfer of funds to MOH-BARMM, DOH corporate hospitals and
attached agencies in accordance with the approved guidelines and duly executed
Memorandum of Agreement (MOA);
Process payments of COVID-19 compensation claims of HCWs and non-HCWs
evaluated and approved by AS; and
Provide guidance on the sourcing and utilization of funds.
D. The Field Implementation and Coordination Team (FICT) shall:
1. Assist the AFMT in monitoring the implementation of this JC in their respective
areas/jurisdictions;
2. Provide guidance to CHDs to ensure that the sickness and death compensation
claims are processed and facilitated accordingly;
3. Conduct random assessment of the claims approved by the respective processing
units; and
4. Regularly submit monitoring reports to AFMT on observations and/or feedback
relative to Item No. 2 of this Section.
G. The BOQ, FDA, DOH Retained and Corporate Hospitals, TRCs and Attached
Agencies shall:
1. Receive, evaluate and validate, and process all claims from the HCWs and
non-HCWs in their respective offices/health facilities;
2. Regularly submit the physical and financial accomplishment reports to AFMT and
FMS, respectively, for monitoring, in accordance with pertinent accounting and
auditing rules and regulations. The fund utilization report shall comply with
Section VI.D.2 of this JC; and
of
3. Monitor the implementation this JC in their respective areas/jurisdictions.
10
. The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) shall:
Process and issue the corresponding budget-related action documents to implement the grant of
COVID-19 compensation to HCWs and non-HCWs pursuant to Republic Act No. 11639 or the FY
2022 GAA, in accordance with the existing government budgeting, accounting and auditing rules
and regulations.
The funds necessary for the implementation of this JC shall be sourced from the FY 2022 GAA,
and any sources available as may be identified by the DBM, subject to the existing budgeting,
accounting, and auditing rules and regulations.
A. Issues and concerns that may arise in relation to the implementation of this JC shall be brought
to the DOH, as the lead agency, in coordination with the DBM, for discussion and
resolution.
Amendments of this Circular as necessary and as warranted by circumstances may likewise be
made by the
in
DOH coordination with DBM. The DOH may likewise issue supplemental
guidelines on the requirements, evaluation, and payment of the claims, as necessary.
B. Conversely, all issues arising from the grant of COVID-19 sickness and death compensation to
eligible HCWs and non-HCWs assigned in health facilities involved in COVID-19 response
shall be resolved exclusively by the DOH.
SEPARABILITY CLAUSE
If any clause, sentence, or provision of this JC shall be declared invalid or unconstitutional, the
other provisions unaffected thereby shall remain valid and effective.
XI. INTERPRETATION CLAUSE
or
In case of doubt in the interpretation of this Circular in the appreciation of evidence, such doubt
shall be resolved in favor of the claim of the HCWs and non-HCWs or the beneficiary or legal heir
of the deceased HCW or non-HCWs, provided that interpretation shall be made in a manner that
best achieves the purpose of the law.
This Joint Circular shall take effect immediately after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a
newspaper of general circulation.
ae
Digitally signed by
Duque Francisco
Tiongson Ill
Date: 2022.05.10
17:03:54 +08'00'
TINAROSE
Officer-in-Charge
. CANDA
.
FRANCISCO T.SecretaryII, MD, MSc
DUQUE
{1
Annex A: Documentary Requirements for Processing of Claims for Mild/Moderate Cases
1. One (1) Original Certificate of Employment signed by the authorized official of the
concerned hospital/health facility or Certified True Copy (CTC) of Contract or Volunteer
Certificate. The following shall be specified in the document: a) period of employment, b)
position, and c) place of assignment. The purpose for application shall be for COVID-19
compensation.
One (1) photocopy of any of the following government-issued valid IDs (Passport,
Driver’s License, Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) or Social Security
System (SSS) Unified Multi-Purpose ID (UMID), PhilHealth ID with picture, Postal,
Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), Voter’s ID, National ID, Senior Citizen (SC),
Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) or Health Facility/ Agency ID), or person with disability
(PWD) ID;
If hospitalized, one (1) Original or CTC of Comprehensive Medical/Clinical Abstract or
Discharge Summary signed by the attending physician, indicating the following but not
limited to:
Name of Patient
Date of Admission
ae
Date of Discharge
Admitting Diagnosis
Chief Complaint
Pertinent Signs and Symptoms
Pertinent Laboratory Data/Findings
i Course inthe Ward
Final Diagnosis
Condition upon Discharge
Signature of Attending Physician
a. If home quarantined, one (1) duly issued original or CTC of Medical Certificate
issued by the physician of the admitting hospital/facility reflecting symptoms and
diagnosis.
b. If facility quarantined, one (1) Original or CTC of Medical Certificate/Clearance
signed by the attending physician or Quarantine Certificate/Clearance issued by
the facility or Provincial/City/Municipal/ Barangay Health Authority/Appropriate
Epidemiology Surveillance Officer; and
c. If the signs and symptoms were_not_ indicated in the Medical/Quarantine
Certificate, an original or CTC of the Monitoring Sheet with symptoms issued and
signed by the Hospital, Provincial/City/Municipal/Barangay Health
Authority/Appropriate Epidemiology Surveillance Officer will be submitted.
4. (1) Original or CTC of the Molecular and Diagnostic Pathology Test (MDPT) with
Positive Result such as Real-Time Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction
(RT-PCR) test OR facility-based Rapid Antigen Test (AgT) for suspect, including
symptomatic and asymptomatic close contacts who fit the suspect case definition, and
probable cases in
the following circumstances:
a. in the community or hospital setting when RT-PCR capacity is insufficient;
12
b. in the hospital setting where the turnaround time
management; or
is
critical to guide patient cohort
c, in the community during outbreaks for quicker case finding, provided that in any
setting, only FDA-certified antigen tests with sensitivity and specificity in
conformity HTAC specifications are used.
The local government unit (LGU) shall determine the existence of the aforementioned
circumstances. For symptomatic close contacts, a positive AgT result shall be treated as
the final diagnostic result. Symptomatic close contacts who tested negative for AgT, as
well as asymptomatic close contacts regardless of AgT result, shall undergo confirmatory
RT-PCR test.
The date of RT-PCR or AgT positive result must be immediately preceding or within the
date of quarantine
or
isolation or certification from the hospital Infection Prevention and
Control (IPC) committee that the patient who meets the following (World Health
Organization COVID-19 Case Definition, 16 December 2020):
. One (1) original Special Power of Attorney (SPA) signed by the HCWs and non-HCWs
case another person will process/apply for the COVID-19 compensation. Likewise, a
in
thumb mark in lieu of signature of the HCWs and non-HCWs shall be accepted if the
latter is unable to sign.
13
Annex B: Documentary Requirements for Processing of Claims for Severe/Critical Cases
1. One (1) Original Certificate of Employment signed by the authorized official of the
concerned hospital/health facility or Certified True Copy (CTC) of Contract or
Volunteer Certificate. The following shall be specified in the document: a) period of
employment, b) position, and c) place of assignment. The purpose for application shall
be for COVID-19 compensation;
One (1) photocopy of any of the following government-issued valid IDs (Passport,
Driver’s License, Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) or Social Security
System (SSS) Unified Multi-Purpose ID (UMID), PhilHealth ID with picture, Postal,
Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), Voter’s ID, National ID, Senior Citizen
(SC), Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) or Health Facility/ Agency ID) or PWD ID;
(1) Original or CTC of the Molecular and Diagnostic Pathology Test (MDPT) with
Positive Result such as Real-Time Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction
(RT-PCR) test OR facility-based Rapid Antigen Test (AgT) for suspect, including
symptomatic and asymptomatic close contacts who fit the suspect case definition, and
probable cases in the following circumstances:
a. in the community or hospital setting when RT-PCR capacity is insufficient;
b. in the hospital setting where the turnaround time
cohort management; or
is critical to guide patient
c, in the community during outbreaks for quicker case finding, provided that in
any setting, only FDA-certified antigen tests with sensitivity and specificity in
conformity HTAC specifications are used.
The local government unit (LGU) shall determine the existence of the aforementioned
circumstances. For symptomatic close contacts, a positive AgT result shall be treated as
the final diagnostic result. Symptomatic close contacts who tested negative for AgT,
well as asymptomatic close contacts regardless of AgT result, shall undergo
as
confirmatory RT-PCR test.
The date of RT-PCR or AgT positive result must be immediately preceding or within
the date of quarantine or isolation or certification from the hospital Infection Prevention
14
and Control (IPC) committee that the patient who meets the following (World Health
Organization COVID-19 Case Definition, 16 December 2020):
6. One
(1) original Special Power of Attorney (SPA) signed by the HCWs and
non-HCWs
in case another person will process/apply for the COVID-19 compensation. Likewise, a
thumb mark in lieu of signature of the HCWs and non-HCWs shall be accepted
latter is unable to sign.
the if
7. (1) CTC of the official chest x-ray result signed by the radiologist.
15
Annex C: Documentary Requirements for Processing of Claims for Death Cases
1. One (1) Original Certificate of Employment signed by the authorized official of the
concerned. hospital/health facility or Certified True Copy (CTC) of Contract or
Volunteer Certificate. The following shall be specified in the document: a) period of
employment, b) position, and c) place of assignment. The purpose for application shall
be for COVID-19 compensation;
One (1) photocopy of any of the following government-issued valid IDs (Passport,
Driver’s License, Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) or Social Security
System (SSS) Unified Multi-Purpose ID (UMID), PhilHealth ID with picture, Postal,
Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), Voter’s ID, National ID, Senior Citizen
(SC), Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) or Health Facility/ Agency ID) or PWD ID;
(1) Original or CTC of the Molecular and Diagnostic Pathology Test (MDPT) with
Positive Result such as Real-Time Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction
(RT-PCR) test OR facility-based Rapid Antigen Test (AgT) for suspect, including
symptomatic and asymptomatic close contacts who fit
the suspect case definition, and
probable cases inthe following circumstances:
a. in the community or hospital setting when RT-PCR capacity is insufficient;
b. in the hospital setting where the turnaround time is critical to guide patient
cohort management; or
c. in the community during outbreaks for quicker case finding, provided that in
any setting, only FDA-certified antigen tests with sensitivity and specificity in
conformity HTAC specifications are used.
The local government unit (LGU) shall determine the existence of the aforementioned
circumstances. For symptomatic close contacts, a positive AgT result shall be treated as
the final diagnostic result. Symptomatic close contacts who tested negative for AgT,
well as asymptomatic close contacts regardless of AgT result, shall undergo
as
confirmatory RT-PCR test.
The date of RT-PCR or AgT positive result must be immediately preceding or within
the date of quarantine or isolation or certification from the hospital Infection Prevention
16
and Control (IPC) committee that the patient who meets the following (World Health
Organization COVID-19 Case Definition, 16 December 2020):
6. One (1) original Special Power of Attorney (SPA) signed by the HCWs and non-HCWs
in case another person will process/apply for the COVID-19 compensation. Likewise, a
thumb mark in lieu of signature of the HCWs and non-HCWs shall be accepted if the
latter is unable to sign.
a. One (1) original copy of Death Certificate of the HCWs and non-HCW issued
by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) or PSA-authenticated death
certificate issued by the LGU or Certification from the IPC/Mortality Audit
Committee that the death is a consequence of COVID-19;
One
(1) photocopy of any valid IDs of the claimant as enumerated in Item 2 of
this Annex;
If the claimant is the surviving spouse, one (1) original copy of Marriage
Certificate issued by PSA;
17
If the claimant child/children is/are minor or incapacitated and there is another
person authorized to act as claimant:
f.1. One (1) original copy of Birth Certificate/s of minor or incapacitated
child/children issued by PSA; and
f.2. One (1) original or CTC of Affidavit of Guardianship of minor and
incapacitated child/children.
18