QUEZON City Rep. Anthony Peter Crisologo yesterday filed a resolution urging Local Government Units (LGUs) to provide hazard pay to all barangay officials and officers working as frontliners in the fight against the pandemic.
Crisologo filed House Resolution No. 1834 because barangay workers, such as health workers, tanods (watchmen) and other employees are not covered by the rules of the Civil Service Commission (CSC) and are not entitled to the same benefits of regular government employees.
He said essential workers have been required to report for work to ensure that basic services are still provided, making them prone and vulnerable to the deadly virus.
Crisologo said the role of barangay officials and workers is crucial, especially in ensuring that national programs ranging from health promotion to case management and distribution of basic commodities are implemented efficiently on the ground.
The resolution calls on LGUs to allocate funds pursuant to the provisions of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Circular No. 2020-1, which provides guidelines on the grant of COVID-19 hazard pay.
“LGU’s 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,” Crisologo said.
There are 42,046 barangays recorded in the September 2020 data of the Department of Interior and Local Government.
