Good news for policemen in the frontlines of the country's fight against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
The Philippine National Police (PNP) said all policemen in areas that were placed under Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) and Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) from June, 2020, are entitled to receive COVID Hazard Pay.
PNP chief Gen. Camilo Pancratius Cascolan said all that is needed to be done is for their immediate units and offices to submit the Hazard Pay claims in order to start the processing of the payment.
“Aside from our enhanced medical system and supportive healthcare for personnel, the PNP leadership also ensures the welfare of our personnel who selflessly served the community and the Filipino people at the height of COVID-19 pandemic,” said Cascolan.
Cascolan said the move is consistent with existing provision of the national government under Administrative Order No. 26 that provides for the grant of COVID-19 Hazard Pay to government personnel who physically reported for work during the period of implementation of an enhanced community quarantine relative to the COVID-19 outbreak.
He said the hazard pay claim will cover the period from June, 2020, onwards and supported by the Regional Inter-Agency Task Force Resolution declaring respective areas under ECQ or MECQ.
“All concerned offices and units were informed about the submission of the lists for hazard pay to keep them on track on the updates and to avoid confusion and disinformation,” said Cascolan.
Policemen have been on the frontline in implementing the quarantine rules that include manning border control checkpoints and community-level enforcement of the quarantine rules.
More than 5,000 policemen have already been infected with the coronavirus, most of them from Metro Manila and Central Visayas.
Based on the latest data, a total of 17 PNP personnel already died due to coronavirus infection.