Cops’ hazard pay: P240 per month

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—The country’s police and military personnel who risk their lives in danger zones and hazardous missions deserve more than the P240 monthly hazard pay and the P1,020 quarterly combat pay they are currently receiving, senators said on Wednesday.

Sen. Sonny Angara, who has a pending bill to institute the Magna Carta for Philippine National Police personnel, said it was about time that those who put their lives at risk receive commensurate compensation.

The measure provides for a special hardship allowance for uniformed PNP personnel equivalent to at least 50 percent of their monthly basic salary, among other benefits. It also provides for a remote assignment allowance equivalent to 50 percent of their basic pay, as well as reimbursement for transportation costs.

“Most government employees are underpaid, but not all face the barrel of a gun every day, and not all face the prospect of going home to their families in a body bag every day as well, but policemen and soldiers do,” Angara said in a text message.