Hazard pay for cops pushed

Police personnel who are in combat duty in any parts of the country will receive an additional hazard pay while on duty.

Rep. Gabriel Luis R. Quisumbing (6th District, Cebu City) authored House Bill 5455, which increases the combat duty pay of the policemen amounting to P240 by 25 percent of their base pay.

The increase will cover all commissioned and non-commissioned Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel, according to Quisumbing.

Quisumbing said the proposed "PNP Combat Duty Pay Increase" also provides for a mission allowance to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) personnel who are exposed to adversity, combat situation and hazards nusual to peacekeeping.

Quisumbing said the mission allowance of the soldiers should represent 50% of their base pay.

Quisumbing said the hazard pay increase will be given only to those who are assigned to critical areas or tactical units like the 44 members of the Special Action Forces 55th Company who died in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

"With the risk inherent in such missions, the concerned PNP troops only receive measly salaries, allowances, and benefits in exchange for the dangers they face in fulfilling their duties," Quisumbing said.

The amount necessary to implement the proposed act for the current year shall be charged against the savings of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

Under the bill, the total amount of the hazard pay increase for policemen and soldiers will be included in the General Appropriation Act.

Quisumbing cited the Section 5 of Article XVI of the Constitution, which provides that professionalism in the armed forces and adequate remuneration and benefits of its members shall be a prime concern of the State. (House of Representatives)