BARANGAY authorities who have been asking if they can be included in the hazard pay that has been approved by the city government for its employes who reported to work during the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) were advised by Mayor Isko Moreno to seek guidance from proper authorities on the matter.
Moreno said the city government’s hands are tied since the hazard pay that would be given to the city employees was based on an Administrative Order issued by no less than President Rodrigo Roa-Duterte.
“Kita ko naman ang sakripisyo ninyo, kaso, tali ang aming mga kamay. Look for funds and magtatanong ako sa legal. Kung ako ang masusunod, hanggang kaya ay yayakapin namin,” Moreno said.
The mayor also advised the barangays to seek an opinion from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) if they can use the barangay funds for the purpose.
“Kung pwede, baka magawan ng paraan. Wala namang masama na magtanong kayo sa DILG na kung pwede, ‘yung natitirang barangay funds eh mabigyan kayo ng hazard pay,” he said.
Moreno recently signed an ordinance that would give P500 per day in ‘COVID-19 hazard pay’ and in recognition of their efforts to help keep the city operational amid the pandemic, for employes who physically reported for work during the ECQ from March 17 to May 15, 2020.
The ordinance, unanimously passed by the Manila City Council headed by Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna as its presiding officer and by Councilor and Atty. Joel Chua as majority floorleader, allots P151 million for the purpose.
Chua, however, clarified that barangay officials and tanods are not classified as city employees as they are considered employees of the smallest unit of local government units which is the barangay.
Should their funds allow, Chua said the barangays may give the said hazard pay to barangay authorities, not exceeding 500 per day as provided for under Administrative Order No. 26 which was issued by President Rodrigo Duterte and which became the basis for the passage of the said Ordinance No. 8667.
Moreno said the budget for the COVID hazard pay will come from the Manila City government’s Personal Services and Special Activities fund and Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses fund and the computation will be P500 times the total number of days when the employee concerned physically reported for work.
Employes concerned must be occupying regular, contractual or casual positions, or are engaged through contract of service, job order or other similar scheme, or shall have been authorized to physically report for work at their respective offices or work stations on the prescribed official working hours by the head of department, bureau or office during the period of implementation of ECQ.
Moreno also said that the personnel who are entitled to hazard pay, hazardous duty pay, hazard allowance and 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 entiteled to such benefits or the ‘COVID-19 Hazard Pay,’ whichever is higher. Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau.
Meanwhile, Moreno and Lacuna, joined by Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau (MTPB) chief Dennis Viaje and city administrator Felix Espiritu, received from the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII) five motorcycle units for the use of the MTPB.
The donation was made by FFCCCII external committee chairman Nelson Guevarra, along with members Jefferson Lau and Andy Co, after the flag-raising ceremony in City Hall yesterday morning.
