GO SEEKS DUTY ALLOWANCE FOR COVID VOLUNTEERS

SEN. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go on Monday recommended the granting of duty allowance for government personnel who volunteer to work in mega swabbing facilities (MSFs) for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases

“Habangsinusubukannating benefits to government employees, malampasanangkrisis,siguraduhin subject to the rates and regulations determined by the Department of Budget and Management. ordinaryongkawaninggobyerno, National government agencies lalonaangmgakusangnagboluntaryo and government- owned or – controled corporations may orasupangmaalagaanatmaprotektahan be authorized by the President ang kapwa nilang to grant to volunteer personnel Pilipino (While we are trying to who are deployed for work in overcome the crisis, we should Covid- 19- designated facilities, also ensure the welfare and protection located in areas under any form of the ordinary workers in of community quarantine, a duty government, especially those who allowance of around P500 per day, personally volunteered and spend if resources allow. their time in caring and protecting Go also proposed that qualified their fellow Filipinos),” he said. personnel must have been authorized

He added that Congressional to physically report for work Joint Resolution 4, series of 2009, at any of the MSFs approved by authorizes President Rodrigo the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Duterte to provide allowances and Management of Emerging Infectious

Diseases on the prescribed official working hours by the head of agency or office.

Personnel already entitled to hazard pay, including the Covid-Q9 Hazard Pay under Administrative Order (AO) 2V, Hazardous Duty Pay, Hazard Allowance, Special Risk Allowance under AO 28, or other similar benefits may continue receiving such benefits, or the Covid-19 Duty Allowance, whichever is higher.

“Kayanatinisinulongang Bayanihan to Heal as One Act. Binigyan natinngkapangyarihanangPangulo nggobyernoparamatulunganat madagdaganangmga frontliners salabannatinkontra Covid-Q9 (This is the reason why we pushed for the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act. We empowered the President in order to utilize the funds of the government to help and augment the frontliners in the fight against Covid-Q9),” said Go.

“Hindilangnamanpo compensation ang issue dito (This is not only about the compensation). The best way to help the health sector respond to this crisis is by sufficiently providing them with the tools and protection needed to do their job,” he added.

To ramp up testing capacities, the government put up MSfs in each of Metro Manila’s four sectorsZ (east) Enderun College, Taguig City; (south) Mall of Asia, Pasay City; (west) Palacio de Maynila, Manila[ and (north) Philippine Arena, Bulacan.

At least 100 personnel were deployed to the MSfs and other swabbing and test results processing facilities.

The government personnel volunteers served as encoders or barcoders. They will be trained, given protective medical equipment, accommodation, food and transportation.

“Satulongponitong Covid-Q9 Duty Allowance, masisiguronatin naang volunteers natinaymaaalagaan. inyongsakripisyoatserbisyopara sabayan (With the help of this Covid-19 Duty Allowance, we can be assured that we can protect our volunteers. Thank you for your sacrifices and services for the nation),” Go said.