Vice mayor seeks full implementation of health workers' hazard pay

KALIBO Vice Mayor Cynthia Dela Cruz has urged the town's executive department to consider the full implementation of hazard pay for public health workers.

Dela Cruz said Thursday, July 11, the full implementation of hazard pay was already stipulated in the Magna Carta of Public Health Workers or Republic Act 7305.

She said health workers must be given hazard pay because of the nature of their work, wherein they deal with diseases like dengue and measles, among others.

According to the Provincial Epidemiology Surveillance and Response Unit, around 394 cases of dengue with two deaths have been reported in Aklan, while there are at least 170 cases of measles.

“At present, regular midwives employees of the LGU (local government unit) Kalibo are receiving partial hazard pay of 10 percent, which has big difference from what is being mandated of 25 percent by law depending on the salary grade,” said Dela Cruz, who is a pediatrician by profession.

She said the local finance committee and the municipal budget office must also study the RA 7305 and grant full implementation of hazard pay if possible, subject to the availability of funds.

“Public health workers are exposing themselves to health hazards, which cost a lot of money and put their health at stake,” she said.

Meanwhile, Ramel Buncalan of the Provincial Advisory Council of the Philippine National Police said the Aklan Provincial Police Office (Appo) has launched a campaign against dengue.

On Wednesday, July 10, the PAC led the launching of its advocacy program against dengue, which includes a clean-up activity in Sitio Babybay, New Buswang, Kalibo, Aklan.

The clean-up drive was supported by Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program beneficiaries, Amhop Aklan, Girl Scout of the Philippines, Kiwanis Club of Kalibo, Lezo Rural Health Unit, 12th Infantry Bartalion of the Philippine Army and the Reservists and Appo, among others.

On July 16, the Kalibo local government will also conduct another clean-up drive, said Terence Toriano of the Municipal Risk Reduction and Management Office.

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