TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
25 JiJL 14 P2 :48
Senate Bill No. 542
Introduced by Senator JOEL VILLANUEVA
AN ACT
GRANTING HAZARD PAY TO WORKERS IN CRITICAL 
INDUSTRIES DURING A STATE OF CALAMITY OR EMERGENCY OR 
PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Workers in critical industries, including those in healthcare, logistics, agriculture, 
and essential services, serve as the backbone of our society during states of calamity 
or emergency, public health emergencies, or national crises. They often face 
heightened risks without adequate compensation. During the COVID-19 pandemic, 
frontline workers such as nurses, supermarket staff, delivery drivers, and sanitation 
crews continued their duties amid grave danger. Over 33,000 healthcare workers 
contracted COVID-19 as of the last quarter of 2022,1 and nearly 13% of COVID-related 
deaths in the Philippines were among health workers, substantially higher than 
neighboring ASEAN countries.2 Despite these risks, many workers did not receive 
timely or sufficient hazard pay, highlighting the urgent need for a standardized system 
of compensation.
The country's experience during the pandemic also revealed the vulnerability of 
key sectors to labor shortages and burnout. Hospitals suffered mass resignations due 
to delayed incentives and overwhelming workloads. In agriculture and food services, 
around 70% of farming communities reported job losses.3 The transportation sector
DOH, as cited by Philstar. Over33,000 HCWs contracted COVID-19. Published on 16 September 2022. Available 
at https://wvvw.philstar.eom/headlines/2022/09/16/2210024/over-33000-hcws-contracted-covid-19 (Accessed 
on 07 Juiy 2025).
The Asia-Pacific Journal. Misplaced Priorities, Unnecessary Effects: Collective Suffering
and Survival in Pandemic Philippines. Published in August 2020. Available at https://apjjf.org/wp-
content/uploads/2023/10/article-359.pdf (Accessed on 08 July 2025).
World Bank. How COVID-19 impacted vulnerable communities in the Philippines. Published on 10 November 
2021. Available at https://blogs.worldbank.org/en/eastasiapacific/how-covid-19-impacted-vulnerable- 
communities-philippines (Accessed on 08 Juiy 2025).


was also strained, with 52% of public transport drivers being affected by job cuts.4 
These disruptions highlight how critical yet undervalued these workers are in 
contributing to the nation's resilience.
Many of these frontline workers also come from marginalized sectors with limited 
access to social safety nets, yet they have demonstrated through their work their 
unwavering commitment, even in the face of displacement, disease, and danger.
Thus, establishing a clear and consistent hazard pay policy would not only 
recognize the sacrifices of workers in critical industries, but also provide financial 
protection for them as they risk their lives to keep services running during crises.
Therefore, this measure proposes the institutionalization of a hazard pay, 
equivalent to at least 25% of daily basic wages, to acknowledge the indispensable role 
that essential workers play in maintaining the stability of our communities. This bill 
also includes third-party workers such as security guards and sanitation personnel to 
ensure that no essential worker is left behind.
It is the view of the undersigned that a hazard pay system would also support 
workforce retention and ensure continuity of services during future emergencies. More 
importantly, it would reinforce worker morale and incentivize professionals to remain 
in high-risk roles despite the challenges.
In an era marked by climate change, pandemics, and geopolitical uncertainties, 
ensuring fair treatment of essential workers is both a moral and strategic imperative. 
Through this measure, the country can take a decisive step towards building a more 
resilient, equitable, and prepared society. Hazard pay is not just about remuneration, 
it is about valuing the labor and lives of those who keep the nation functioning in its 
most trying moments. Recognizing and supporting these individuals through a clear, 
inclusive, and enforceable policy would affirm the country's commitment to justice and 
sustainability in times of crisis.
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
4 Ibid.


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TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
Senate Bill No. 542
25 ji.lL 14
I L :4G
Introduced by Senator JOEL VILLANUEVA
AN ACT
GRANTING HAZARD PAY TO WORKERS IN CRITICAL 
INDUSTRIES DURING A STATE OF CALAMITY OR EMERGENCY OR 
PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assem bled:
SECTION. 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Hazard Pay for 
Workers in Critical Industries Act"
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State shall promote the protection of all 
workers and ensure their health and safety during a state of calamity or emergency 
or public health emergency concern. Towards this end, workers in critical industries 
shall be provided with additional benefit for the duration of these events, taking into 
account the nature of their functions and exposure to various hazards by reason of 
their functions.
SEC. 3. Coverage. - This Act shall apply to all workers in critical industries in 
the private sector.
For the purposes of this Act, "workers in critical industries" shall refer to workers 
in critical establishments, who are exposed to greater danger, contagion, radiation, 
virus, disease, or peril from natural calamities, such as volcanic activity/eruption and 
typhoons. Critical establishments shall include, but not be limited to, the following:


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a) Hospitals, sanitaria, rural health units, main health centers, health infirmaries,
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barangay health stations, clinics, laboratories, and other health-related
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establishments;
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b) 
Morgues and mortuaries;
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c) Banks and other financial institutions providing money transfer services;
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d) Groceries, supermarket, and convenience stores;
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e) 
Public markets;
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f) Pharmacies or drugstores, or similar establishments authorized to dispense
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medicines;
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g) 
Restaurants;
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h) Logistics and warehouse establishments;
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i) 
Food and medical manufacturing establishments;
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j) 
Telecommunications companies;
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k) Mass media companies, with respect to their reporters and similar personnel in-
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charge of delivering news;
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I) 
Electric generation, transmission, and distribution companies;
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m) Gasoline stations;
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n) Oil companies, with respect to their tanker drivers;
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o) 
Water distribution companies, including water delivery and refilling stations;
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p) 
Companies engaged in sanitation, such as garbage collection;
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q) Companies involved in the Philippine capital market, such as the Philippine Stock
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Exchange and Philippine Dealing and Exchange Corporation, among others;
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r) Hotels and similar establishments, upon such terms and conditions as the
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appropriate agencies overseeing the calamity, disaster, or public health
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emergency prescribe;
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s) 
Mass public transportation companies;
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t) 
Civil aviation and maritime transport companies; and
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u) Such other establishments which may be considered critical in light of the nature
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of the state of calamity or emergency or public health concern.
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For the avoidance of doubt, workers of third-party service contractors, such as
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security guards and sanitation personnel, who are deployed to any of the foregoing


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establishments shall also receive the benefit provided under this Act for the duration 
of the calamity, emergency, or public health emergency.
SEC. 4. Hazard Pay. - When a state of calamity or emergency, or a public 
health emergency, as defined under Republic Act No. 11332, otherwise known as the 
"Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health 
Concern Act," has been declared, workers in critical industries who actually rendered 
service during the state of calamity or emergency or public health emergency, shall 
be compensated with hazard allowances equivalent to at least twenty-five percent 
(25%) of their respective daily basic salary for the duration thereof.
SEC. 5. Non-Diminution of Benefits. - Nothing in this Act shall be construed 
to diminish existing benefits under existing laws, company policies, and collective 
bargaining agreements.
SEC. 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from 
the effectivity of this Act, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) shall, in 
consultation with the appropriate government agencies and other relevant 
stakeholders, promulgate the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) to effectively 
carry out the provisions of this Act.
SEC. 7. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional, the remainder hereof or any provisions not affected thereby shall 
remain in force and effect.
SEC. 8. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
executive order, letter of instruction, rule, or regulation inconsistent with the 
provisions of this Act is hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
SEC. 9. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
complete publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,