The House Committees on Justice and Ways and Means on Monday, May 17, endorsed the passage of the bill granting hazard pay to state prosecutors.
The proposed additional incentive is contained in House Bill No. 8675, authored by deputy speaker and Cagayan de Oro City Second District Rep. Rufus Rodriguez.
The bill seeks an additional hazard pay for state prosecutors that would range from P31,287.50 to P45,144.75.
Rodriguez said the passage of the measure into law would provide government prosecutors’ ample support and recognition for their service as they face risks while they carry out their duty.
He noted at least eight public prosecutors in several parts of the country had been murdered since 2016. Two had fortunately survived the attacks.
“These incidents highlight the dangers that our prosecutors face in the discharge of their vital role in dispensing justice,” Rodriguez said.
“While there can never be a price that would ever be commensurate to their lives, additional compensation or hazard pay will be a good show of support and recognition of the importance of prosecutors,” he added.
The lawmaker said the government is already providing hazard pay equivalent to at least 25 percent of monthly basic salary to various government officials whose work entails occupational risks or perils to life.
Under the bill, the funds needed for the proposed additional hazard pay would be sourced from the National Prosecution Service of the Department of Justice (DOJ).
The DOJ would also be mandated to include in its annual budget proposal to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and Congress the amount needed to provide this incentive.