BACOLOD City – The city government is set to release P41.5 million in hazard pay and special risk allowance for employees who rendered frontline and other essential services during the 47-day enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) here due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
During its regular session on Wednesday afternoon, the City Council presided by Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran unanimously approved the appropriation for the fund requested by Mayor Evelio Leonardia.
“This is a form of saying thank you to our frontliners and employees who rendered work during the ECQ. They are our heroes during these trying times,” Leonardia said.
The ECQ in Bacolod was initially set from March 30 to April 30. The city government, however, requested a 15-day extension until May 15 which was approved by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.
The amount of P41.5 million has been reverted and re-appropriated from the salary savings for vacant positions from Jan. 1 to May 31. It includes P37.6 million for hazard pay and P3.9 million for special risk allowance.
City Budget Officer Ma. Imelda Williams said each qualified personnel will receive maximum hazard pay of P350 per day for the number of days they rendered service during the ECQ.
Entitled to receive these incentives are regular employees, job order workers and contractual employees.
According to Williams, personnel receiving “regular” hazard pay can opt to avail themselves of the COVID-19 hazard pay or can avail whichever is higher.
Meanwhile, each qualified employee will receive a one-time special risk allowance, which is equivalent to a maximum of 25 percent of their monthly basic pay, she said.
A pro-rated computation of the special risk allowance is provided in the budget circular issued by the Department of Budget and Management.
This city has been placed under modified general community quarantine since May 16.
As of Wednesday night, Bacolod has recorded 332 COVID-19 cases, including eight deaths. Of the number, 254 are active cases while 70 have recovered. (With a report from PNA/PN)