The Department of Health (DOH) stated that COVID-19 benefits will continue to be provided to healthcare workers (HCWs) in 2022, in appreciation of their heroic and unflinching efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. Those categorized as high risk will receive a monthly benefit of PHP 9,000.00, while those classified as moderate or low risk will receive a monthly benefit of PHP 6,000.00 and PHP 3,000.00, respectively. While the risks associated with COVID-19 continue to grow, few frontline essential workers receive any hazard pay at all. On average, frontline workers earn less money and are more likely to be members of minority groups than the general workforce.

The extraordinary sacrifices we are asking frontline employees to make necessitate an immediate reaction that recognizes the dangers they face merely by reporting to occupations such as ringing up groceries, cleaning hospital rooms, and treating critically ill patients. With little financial stability, many of the workers I encountered felt compelled to continue working, and the sudden hazards of their occupations were foremost in their minds. Almost every frontline worker I see is fearful of infecting their loved ones. The Philippines is experiencing difficulties with hazard pay due to budget constraints; frontliners frequently do not receive their hazard pay or receive it at a lower rate than expected. Through this petition, I hope to increase frontliners' hazard pay and provide them with additional benefits in exchange for their dedication to their jobs. Compensation should be proportionate to the harm sustained, and hazard pay should be proportionate to the risk and burden bearing. As a result, critical workers should receive the same level of compensation and hazard pay as military personnel, physicians, nurses, teachers, and others, when the effects, risks, and obligations are commensurate. To make sure that these workers have more benefits, things like paid sick leave and COVID-19 health care costs for those who don't have insurance, as well as death benefits for the families of those who have died from the virus, should be looked at, too.