Hazard pay for COVID frontliners referred to finance committee

By Dolly Yasa

 

BACOLOD City – Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran said Thursday that the recommendation to give “hazard pay” or a one-time “special risk allowance” to frontliners in the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has been referred to the Sangguniang Panlungsod’s Committee on Finance.

Familiaran told Daily Guardian that the resolution tackled in the SP’s session Wednesday is now with the committee chaired by Councilor Cindy Rojas.

He said the SP will deliberate on the resolution in their session next week.

The resolution recommended the “hazard pay” or a one-time “special risk allowance” to regular employees, job order workers, and contractual employees of the city government who help stem the spread of COVID-19.

Earlier, Leonardia requested the SP to pass a resolution “adopting” the two measures and their corresponding bases, during their regular session July 15.

“This is a form of saying thank you, and to show our appreciation to their hard work and heroism during these trying times,” Leonardia said.

It can be recalled that Leonardia had issued Executive Order No. 26 placing Bacolod under Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) from March 30 to April 14, 2020; then Executive Order No. 29 extending the ECQ from April 15 to 30; and Executive Order No. 34 further extending the ECQ to May 15.

Bacolod City was placed under ECQ for 47 days.

City Budget Officer Ma. Imelda Williams said that based on the availability of funds of the city government, each qualified worker will receive a hazard pay of P350 per day for a given number of days actually rendered during the 47-day period.

On the other hand, qualified personnel will receive a one-time special risk allowance, which is equivalent to a maximum of 25 percent of their monthly basic pay.

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) released a budget circular providing a pro-rated computation of the special risk allowance.

A worker receiving a “regular hazard pay” may avail of a COVID-19 hazard pay, whichever is higher, Williams said.

She explained that although the maximum amount for hazard pay is P500 based on the DBM budget circular, the Bacolod LGU can give at most P350 per day per personnel.

It can be recalled that President Rodrigo Duterte had issued Administrative Order No. 26 on March 23 authorizing the grant of hazard pay to government personnel who physically report for work during the period of implementation of ECQ during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Duterte also issued Administrative Order No. 28 on April 6 authorizing the grant of special risk allowances to frontline public health workers (PHWs) – those who have great exposure to health risks and physical hardships in the line of duty during the period of ECQ.

The DBM then released corresponding Budget Circulars 2020-1 and 2020-2 for the guidelines on hazard pay and special risk allowance.