A lady solon wants to institutionalize hazard pay for disaster responders by amending the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2000 or Republic Act (RA) 10121.
Under House Bill (HB) 3108 filed by Nueva Ecija 3rd district Rep. Rosanna Vergara, disaster response workers shall receive P2,000 a month, tax-free, for the entire duration of a Palace-declared state of calamity.
“These individuals, who truly deserve to be called heroes, often risk their own life and limb to rescue or give aid or relief to victims of natural and man-made calamities. By the very nature of their job description, they expose themselves to various hazards,” Vergara said in her measure’s explanatory note.
Respective local government units (LGUs) will be responsible for the payout to Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (LDRRMO) and Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Committee (BDRRMC) employees.
Funds for the measure will be charged to the Department of Local and Interior Government (DILG).
“Our country has faced natural disasters that we have not seen before. Massive flooding, mudslides, landslides, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and “supertyphoons” hit the nation almost on a regular basis, exposing the livelihood of our countrymen in great peril,” her measure read.
On Sunday, Sept. 25, super typhoon "Karding" made landfall in the country. Many areas in Luzon were placed under Signal no. 5.