Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

1s* CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House BILLNO.___2197

Introduced by REP. SALVADOR H. ESCUDERO II

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Government presence has always been better felt in the accessible, more urbanized
areas. This is ironic since service delivery is particularly crucial in places where economic or
access difficulties preclude other service alternatives. This proposal for a difficulty differential
seeks to encourage government workers to go where they are most needed. In retum for
additional incentives, it is hoped that qualified teachers, doctors, nurses and other government
functionaries would be more visible in the underserved countryside. At the same time, this
Bill seeks to reward the pioneering few who continue to labor in far-flung and difficult to
reach communities, unmindful of the dangers and hardship that go with working with less
privileged Filipinos

This proposed Measure will be a perfect complement to the Local Government Code
and may in fact serve to solve some of the present problems after the devolution of basic
services to LGUs.

Early approval hereof is earnestly sought.

aw
SALVADOR H. ESCUDERO III
Representative

1* District, Sorsogon


Repbulic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

15" CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HoUsE BILLNO.__2197

Introduced by REP. SALVADOR H. ESCUDERO IIL

AN ACT
GRANTING DIFFICULTY DIFFERENTIAL TO GOVERNMENT EMPLOYE)
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Policy - It is the policy of Government, to increase its presence
and improve the delivery of public services in remote and far-flung areas of the country. To
this end, it shall encourage the dispersal of government employees to the underserved
countryside through a graduated and standardized system of incentives.

SEC. 2. Difficulty Considerations - A government employee shall be paid a monthly
difficulty differential amounting to ten (10%) percent of his/her basic salary (or a total of 50%
for all factors) for each of the following factors:

a. Mode of Access and Distance - When access to the work station involves either a
one hour walk through footrails or one hour trip through any of the following
conveyances: banca, pumpboat, animal-ride and/or animal-drawn vehicle;

b. Absence of electricity;

¢. Absence of running water/'waterworks system;

4. Absence of Primary Health Care Facility, except that which the employee is
supposed 10 man, in the case of health workers; and

e. Absence of school, except that which the employee is supposed to man, in the case
of teachers.

SEC. 3, Administration - The benefits under this Act shall be granted upon the
approval of the respective department heads of goverment pursuant to the rules and
regulations prepared by the Civil Service Commission.

SEC. 4. Implementing Rules — The Civil Service Commission shall promulgate the
necessary rules and regulations of this Act.


SEC. 5. Appropriations — There is hereby authorized to be appropriated, out of any
funds of the National Treasury not otherwise appropriated, the sum to carry out the provisions
of this Act. Thereafter, such sum any increase thereof shall be included in the General
Appropriations Act.

SEC. 6. Hazard Pay - The grant of access and difficulty allowances under this Act
shall be without prejudice to the grant of hazard pay under the existing laws.

SEC.<7, Repealing Clause — All Acts, Presidential Decrees and Issuances
inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed. No provisions of this Act shall be construed to
authorize a diminution of benefits presently enjoyed by government employees.

SEC. 8. Separability Clause — If any provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional or inoperative, the other provisions not so declared shall remain in force and
effect.

SEC. 9. Effectivity Clause - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
publication in any newspaper of general circulation and to the Official Gazette.

Approved,