INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – Weathermen are finally basking in the sunshine and are going home Tuesday with fat wallets.
The day Typhoon “Labuyo” exited the Philippine area of responsibility, employees of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration received their hazard and longevity pay for the months of January to June.
In an interview with Radyo Inquirer 990AM on Wednesday, Philippine Weathermen Employees Association President Ramon Agustin said they received the retroactive benefits on Tuesday, after nearly eight months of waiting.
“[We are experiencing] high morale, not because of the material benefits. The important thing is the authorities’ recognition of our role,” he said.
Agustin said Pagasa employees received an average of P30,000 for the first six months of the year.
“It’s actually not that big. As I said, we just want to be relieved from [everyday] hardships,” he added.
Among the recipients are the families of the two Pagasa employees who died in July – one of colon cancer, the other of stroke.
Agustin explained that the longevity pay is based on an employee’s length of service while the hazard pay depends on exposure to high risk and low risk hazards.
For the first half of the year, Pagasa employees received a uniform hazard pay of 15% of their monthly basic salary. Agustin said this will change for the months of July to December since those in high risk work will be receiving up to 30% of their monthly pay as hazard allowance. He said they have already identified the employees in high risk work.
In an earlier interview, Science and Technology Assistant Secretary for Finance Oswaldo Santos said they are expecting everyone in Pagasa to receive hazard pay, in varying amounts, since even those working in the office need to work during dangerous times, especially if there’s a typhoon.
Agustin said they are now looking forward to next year when their hazard and longevity pay will be included in the annual budget, instead of being taken from the agency’s savings. He said they are hoping to receive the benefits on a monthly basis, making it easier for them to budget their pay.
Pagasa has long been plagued by brain drain and complaints of inadequate and uncompetitive compensation and benefits. In June, Pagasa administrator Nathaniel Servando left for the Middle East while forecaster Ricky Fabregas left early this month to work in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Last year, Pagasa employees protested against the suspension of their Magna Carta benefits.
Under Republic Act 8439, Pagasa employees and other science and technology government personnel are entitled to hazard allowance depending on the exposure to dangerous places and conditions.
On June 25, the Department of Budget and Management and the Department of Science and Technology signed a joint circular enumerating the rules in granting Magna Carta benefits. Among the provisions included is the charging of benefits to the agency’s respective annual appropriation.
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