Mayor submits ‘hazard pay’ and ‘special risk allowance’ recommendation to SP

Personnel of the Bacolod City Government involved in the frontline and other essential services during the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) in the city relative to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, are being considered to receive either a “hazard pay” or a one-time “special risk allowance.”

These personnel include the regular employees, job order workers, and contractual employees.

Mayor Evelio Leonardia has requested the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP), through Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, to pass a resolution “adopting” the two measures and their corresponding bases, during their regular session today 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 ECQ from March 30 to April 14; then Executive Order No. 29 for extension of ECQ from April 15 to 30; and Executive Order No. 34 further extending the ECQ to May 15.

All in all, 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 of their qualified personnel 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, each of their 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 personnel 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 physical 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 allowance 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.* (CITY PIO)