Amid the series of strong earthquakes that have rocked different parts of the country, a congressman from Metro Manila has pushed for the passage of the Magna Carta for Public Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Workers.

Filed by Parañaque 2nd district Rep. Brian Raymund Yamsuan was House Bill (HB) No.5239, which sought to recognize the valiant efforts of public DRRM workers in protecting communities and helping disaster victims recover from calamities.

The measure includes provisions that aim to improve the working conditions of, and grant benefits to, these government personnel who often risk their lives to save others.

“DRRM workers, while exposing themselves to significant risks, including physical danger, psychological stress, and occupational health gaps, especially during disaster response operations, face the challenge of insufficient benefits. Our proposed measure seeks to address these inadequacies by institutionalizing measures that will promote their welfare,” Yamsuan said.

“Napakahalaga ng trabaho ng ating mga DRRM workers bilang mga disaster response and risk reduction frontliners kaya’t dapat lang na pahalagahan at pangalagaan din natin ang kanilang kapakanan. Ang pagkakaloob sa kanila ng mga karampatang benepisyo ay magsisilbing incentive at inspirasyon sa kanila na magpatuloy pa sa kanilang propesyon bilang mga tagapagligtas ng ating mga komunidad mula sa mga kalamidad,” added Yamsuan.

(Our DRRM workers have a very important job as disaster response and risk reduction frontliners, which is why we should also give importance to, and safeguard, their welfare. Providing them the benefits that they should be entitled to will serve as incentive and inspiration for them to continue with their profession as protectors of our communities from calamities.)

Among the benefits proposed under HB No.5239 are the grant of hazard allowance, access to protective equipment, free vaccinations and other prophylactic medicines, and compensation for work-related injuries and sicknesses for public DRRM workers.

A key feature of the bill is the creation of the Public DRRM Workers' Education Trust Fund that will grant education assistance to children and dependents of DRRM workers who died in the line of duty. The benefit will cover primary, secondary, and tertiary education for a period of up to four years of undergraduate studies in accredited institutions.

HB No.5239 also provides DRRM workers with continuing training, scholarship opportunities, and other capacity building activities; mandatory insurance coverage; medical, mental and psychosocial support; and retirement benefits.

Under the measure, a “public DRRM worker” refers to a person employed by the government who are engaged in the performance of duties covering any or all thematic pillars of DRRM, which are prevention and mitigation, preparedness, response, and rehabilitation and recovery.

For public DRMM workers who are permanently employed, the bill provides them security of tenure, which means that their services shall not be terminated except for cause as provided by law and after due process.

Public DRRM workers are also to entitled to overtime pay, night-shift differential and leave benefits; transportation, communication and subsistence allowances; laundry allowance if required to wear uniforms; and legal assistance in connection with the performance of their duties, as provided under the bill.

The Yamsuan bill also grants public DRRM workers who have rendered five years of continuous, efficient, and meritorious service a monthly longevity pay equivalent to five percent of their monthly basic pay.

It also entitles the beneficiaries who are on tour of duty or deployed far away from their homes to free living quarters or a housing allowance.

Public DRRM workers are also protected from discrimination and unwarranted workplace transfers under the bill. The measure also upholds their rights to self-organization, and mandates the formulation of a Code of Conduct for Public DRRM Workers.

HB No.5239 punishes persons found guilty of violating provisions of the magna carta with fines of up to P10,000 and imprisonment of up to one year or both. The measure also recommends the additional penalty of disqualification from public service if the liable party is a government official.