President Rodrigo Duterte signed Monday two administrative orders for the grant of additional pay to COVID-19 frontliners as the Philippines continues to battle the pandemic.
Duterte ordered the release of active hazard duty pay to COVID-19 frontliners in the public and private sector, as well as a special risk allowance for public and private health workers who have direct contact with virus patients.
"There is a need to recognize the heroic and invaluable contributions of our public health workers throughout the country, who bravely and unselfishly risk their lives and health by being at the forefront of the national effort to address the public health emergency," the President said in one of his administrative orders.
Active Hazard Pay
For the active hazard duty pay, the President authorized national government agencies, local government agencies, and government-owned or -controlled corporations to provide up to P3,000 per month in addition to other allowance or similar benefits under existing laws and regulations.
The active hazard pay, according to Duterte's Administrative Order No. 35, will be exempt from income tax and covers medical and allied medical staff serving in the frontlines during the COVID-19 state of emergency.
Computation of the pay will be pro-rated based on workdays from Sept. 15 to Dec. 19, 2020.
The following are qualified for active hazard pay:
- Civilian employees occupying regular, contractual or casual positions whether full or part-time
- Workers engaged through contract of service or job order, including duly accredited and registered barangay health workers assigned to hospitals laboratories, or medical and quarantine facilities
- Frontliners who physically report for work at their assigned work stations on the prescribed official working hours.
Special Risk Allowance
Health workers, both in the private and public sector, who directly cater to or are in contact with COVID-19 patients are entitled to an additional P5,000 special risk allowance.
Medical, allied medical, and other personnel who directly provide treatment and support care to COVID-19 patients are entitled to the allowance based on Duterte's Administrative Order No. 36.
For the special risk allowance, the following are qualified for the said benefit:
- Civilian employees occupying regular, contractual or casual positions whether full or part-time
- Private health workers are assigned in the designated COVID-19 units of hospitals, laboratories, or medical and quarantine facilities as certified by the Department of Health (DOH)
- Health workers who provide critical and urgent services to respond to the public health emergency during the state of national emergency
- Frontliners who physically reports for work at their assigned work stations on the prescribed official working hours
Computation for the special risk allowance will be pro-rated based on workdays from Sept. 15 to Dec. 19, 2020 and claims for payment shall be validated by the DOH and the Department of Budget and Management.
Funds for the additional allowances will be charged to appropriations under the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act, the President said.
