ANGELES City Mayor Carmelo Lazatin, Jr. ordered the immediate computation of the hazard pay of city hall frontline workers amid the enhanced community quarantine beginning March 17.
This came after the release of Administrative Order (AO) No. 26 by the Malacañang Palace on March 23 stating that government employees – regular, contractual or casual positions, contract of service or job order who are still working during the enhanced community quarantine relative to the Covid-19 outbreak are qualified to receive the hazard pay not exceeding P500 per day. The AO also states that the grant of the hazard pay also includes those in the barangays.
“This is also a way for us to extend assistance to the families of the city hall frontline workers because these workers have sacrificed much of their personal time to ensure the delivery of services to the public,” Lazatin said.
The order also states that “personnel who are already entitled to hazard pay, hazardous duty pay, hazard allowance or other similar benefits under existing laws, issuances, rules and regulations, such as public health workers, public social workers, science and technology personnel and military and uniformed personnel, shall continue to be entitled to Covid-19 hazard pay, whichever is higher.”
Lazatin commended the hardwork and valor of the frontliners for working with the local government in the event of emergency. He then referred to them as the “modern, unsung heroes” who battle the coronavirus outbreak.
It can be recalled that Lazatin also ordered the early release of the salary of the local government employees where he, together with Chief Adviser IC Calaguas and Executive Assistant IV Reina Manuel, personally coordinated with the City Budget, Accounting and Treasurer’s Offices.
“The only thing I ask from our constituents is to stay at home for the protection of our frontliners and the public. In this kind of emergency, let us show our unity by following the health guidelines and preventive measures set by the government,” Lazatin added.
President Rodrigo Duterte imposed an enhanced community quarantine from March 17 to April 13.