Parañaque 2nd District Representative Brian Raymund Yamsuan is pushing for the passage of his proposed Magna Carta for Public Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Workers, which aims to improve the working conditions of, and grant benefits to, these government personnel who often risk their lives to save others.
Yamsuan said his proposed Magna Carta under House Bill (HB) 5239 recognizes the valiant efforts of public DRRM workers to protect communities and help disaster victims recover from calamities.
“DRRM workers, while exposing themselves to significant risks, including physical danger, psychological stress, and occupational health gaps, especially during disaster response operations, face the challenge of insufficient benefits. Our proposed measure seeks to address these inadequacies by institutionalizing measures that will promote their welfare,” Yamsuan said.
“Napakahalaga ng trabaho ng ating mga DRRM workers bilang mga disaster response and risk reduction frontliners kaya’t dapat lang na pahalagahan at pangalagaan din natin ang kanilang kapakanan. Ang pagkakaloob sa kanila ng mga karampatang benepisyo ay magsisilbing incentive at inspirasyon sa kanila na magpatuloy pa sa kanilang propesyon bilang mga tagapagligtas ng ating mga komunidad mula sa mga kalamidad,” added Yamsuan.
Under the measure, a “public DRRM worker” refers to a person employed by the government who are engaged in the performance of duties covering any or all thematic pillars of DRRM.
(Our DRRM workers have an important job as disaster response and risk reduction frontliners, which is why we should also give importance to, and safeguard, their welfare. Providing them the benefits that they should be entitled to will serve as incentive and inspiration for them to continue with their profession as protectors of our communities from calamities.)
Among the benefits proposed by Yamsuan under HB 5239 are the grant of hazard allowance; access to protective equipment, free vaccinations, and other prophylactic medicines; and compensation for work-related injuries and sicknesses for public DRRM workers.
A key feature of the bill is the creation of the Public DRRM Workers’ Education Trust Fund that will grant education aid to children and dependents of DRRM workers who died in the line of duty. The benefit will cover primary, secondary, and tertiary education for a period of up to four years of undergraduate studies in accredited institutions.
HB 5239 also provides DRRM workers with continuing training, scholarship opportunities, and other capacity building activities; mandatory insurance coverage; medical, mental, and psychosocial support; and retirement benefits.
Yamsuan said his proposed Magna Carta under House Bill (HB) 5239 recognizes the valiant efforts of public DRRM workers to protect communities and help disaster victims recover from calamities.
Under the measure, a “public DRRM worker” refers to a person employed by the government who are engaged in the performance of duties covering any or all thematic pillars of DRRM, which are prevention and mitigation, preparedness, response, and rehabilitation and recovery.
For public DRMM workers who are permanently employed, the bill provides them security of tenure, which means that their services shall not be ended except for cause as provided by law and after due process.
Public DRRM workers are also to entitled to overtime pay, night-shift differential and leave benefits; transportation, communication, and subsistence allowances; laundry allowance if needed to wear uniforms; and legal aid in connection with the performance of their duties, as provided under the bill.
HB 5239 also grants public DRRM workers who have given five years of continuous, efficient, and meritorious service a monthly longevity pay equivalent to five percent of their monthly basic pay.
It also entitles public DRRM workers who are on tour of duty or deployed far away from their homes to free living quarters or a housing allowance.
Public DRRM workers are also protected from discrimination and unwarranted workplace transfers under the bill. The measure also upholds their rights to self-organization and mandates the formulation of a Code of Conduct for Public DRRM Workers.
HB 5239 also punishes persons found guilty of violating provisions of the Magna Carta with fines of up to P10,000 and imprisonment of up to one year or both. The measure also recommends the added penalty of disqualification from public service if the liable party is a government official.
