Solon urges LGUs to give barangay workers ‘hazard pay’ amid pandemic

(FILE) Village guards in Barangay Baclaran, Parañaque City, install an accordion-type barrier in March 2021, on a street that leads to a bridge that connects their city to Pasay City, where the more transmissible South African variant of the COVID-19 virus has been detected. The variant has also been detected in Parañaque, forcing the local lockdown. INQUIRER file photo / MARIANNE BERMUDEZ

MANILA, Philippines — A lawmaker has filed a resolution urging local government units (LGUs) to give all barangay workers serving as frontliners “hazard pay” amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Under House Resolution No. 1834, a copy of which was shared with the media on Wednesday, Quezon City 1st District Rep. Anthony Peter Crisologo said the pandemic highlights the “crucial role” barangay officials and workers play in responding to the crisis.

“Barangay workers, such as health workers, tanods (watchmen) and other barangay employees are not covered by the rules of the Civil Service Commission and are not entered to the same benefits as regular government employees,” Crisologo said in the resolution.

“Barangay workers are also community members that need protection. Their contributions in the current fight against COVID-19 shall be acknowledged by providing them with security while they continue to carry out official tasks that require them to face the perils of the pandemic,” the lawmaker added.

Crisologo pointed out that in pursuant to the provisions of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Circular No. 2020-1, or the guidelines on the grant of COVI-19 hazard pay, LGUs shall allocate funds to ensure that all barangay officials and workers who are identified as frontliners are given hazard pay for their safety and personal health.

According to Crisologo, there are 42,046 barangays recorded in the September 2020 data of the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

“As the basic political units of the country, all of these barangays and their workers, who serve for the general welfare of their community members, are vital in ensuring that all groups, sectors, and communities are protected from the pandemic and are reached by the government,” Crisologo said.

/MUF