MANILA, Philippines — Government healthcare workers on the front lines of Pasig City’s battle against the novel coronavirus or SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19, are set to receive daily hazard pay of P500 as well as additional 25 percent of their monthly salary, Mayor Vico Sotto announced Thursday.
In a Facebook Live, Sotto said the local Sangguniang Panlungsod signed an ordinance allotting P222.6 million for the supplementary benefits of the city’s health workers.
“Bakit po P222.6 million? Dalawang benepisyo ‘yung makukuha nila. Ito po ay base sa Administrative Order 26 ni President Duterte, (Why P222.6 million? They will get two benefits, this is in accordance with Administrative Order 26 of President Duterte),” Sotto explained.
One of the benefits, according to Sotto, was the COVID-19 hazard pay of P500 per day.
“They deserve this COVID hazard pay,” he stressed.
The Pasig City mayor also said healthcare workers will further receive a “special risk allowance,” which is equivalent to 25 percent of their monthly salary.
“At the end of the quarantine period, makakatanggap po sila — ‘yung mga nagtrabaho po ng full time nung panahon ng quarantine — makakatanggap po sila ng 25 percent sa isang buwan ng sweldo nila. So P500 per day plus 25 percent of one month of their salary,” Sotto pointed out
(At the end of the quarantine period, they will receive — those who worked full time during the quarantine period — they will receive 25 percent of their one month salary. So P500 per day plus 25 percent of one month of their salary.)
“Sana matuwa kayo sa gagawin nitong local na pamahalaan na inaprubahan kanina ‘yung special bonus ninyo, hazard pay,” Sotto said. “Sa totoo lang, you deserve more, pero sa ngayon ito ‘yung kaya ng ating pamahalaan.”
(I hope you will be happy with this move of the local government that approved your special bonus, hazard pay. Honestly, you deserve more, but this is what the government can afford for now.)