TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
Senate Bill No. 543
25 JIIL 14 P2:49
atCE! ,
Introduced by Senator JOEL VILLANUEVA
AN ACT
GRANTING HAZARD PAY TO COVERED EMPLOYEES OF THE 
GOVERNMENT AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Frontline government workers in the Philippines face increased risks particularly 
during calamities or emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic. While most people are 
advised to stay home, several workers in the government are still required to go to 
work to ensure that government services continue. However, despite the high-nature 
risk that comes with their work, no appropriate additional compensation is given to 
them.
Thus, this bill seeks to address the critical need to protect and compensate 
government employees who face hazardous working conditions. By providing a hazard 
pay equivalent to at least 25% of their monthly basic salary, this measure aims to 
recognize the sacrifices and dangers these employees endure while performing their 
duties. Furthermore, the coverage of the proposed hazard pay includes all eligible 
government employees, regardless of their employment status or place of work, 
ensuring inclusivity and fairness in implementation.
Passing this bill into law would strengthen the government's commitment to 
fostering a safe and supportive work environment for its employees. This would not 
only provide tangible benefits to government workers but also boost morale, 
encourage productivity, and reinforce the value of public service in the country.
For the foregoing reasons, the immediate passage of this hi"ic °rirAcflY sought.
ILLANUEVA^7


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TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
2Lj JllL 14 P2:49
\
Ri-C...
Senate Bill No. 543
Introduced by Senator JOEL VILLANUEVA
AN ACT
GRANTING HAZARD PAY TO COVERED EMPLOYEES OF THE 
GOVERNMENT AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
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 
Government Employees Act"
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State 
to protect and promote the welfare of public servants by providing them with 
additional compensation, taking into account the nature of their responsibilities and 
exposure to hazard or possible dangers attendant to the position they are occupying 
and the functions of their office.
SEC. 3. Coverage. - The benefits provided under this Act shall be given to all 
government employees who are exposed to the conditions identified in Section 4 of 
this Act, regardless of status, nature of appointment, whether casual, temporary, 
contract of service (institutional or otherwise), or job order, or place of work (whether 
in medical or non-medical offices): Provided, That government employees currently 
receiving hazard pay under other laws, rules, or regulations shall only be entitled to 
one (1) hazard pay or benefit, whichever is higher.
SEC. 4. Hazard Pay. - All employees of the Government shall be provided a 
hazard pay equivalent to at least twenty five percent (25%) of the monthly basic salary


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of the employee concerned when stationed or assigned to work as frontline workers
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in or under the following circumstances or conditions:
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a) When a state of calamity or emergency, or a public health emergency, as defined
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under Republic Act No. 11332, otherwise known as the "Mandatory Reporting of
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Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act," has been
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declared;
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b) Hazardous areas, as may be declared by the Secretary of National Defense and
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other appropriate agencies;
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c) Difficult areas oir hardship posts characterized by distance, inconvenience of
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travel due to bad roads and conditions of the terrain, isolation, inaccessibility,
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and extreme weather conditions;
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d) 
X-ray units, clinics, laboratories, sanitaria, leprosaria, observation posts, and
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other similar stations which offer risks to health and safety due to exposure to
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radiation, contagious diseases, and volcanic activity;
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e) Institutions or facilities that tend to or care for persons with mental health
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conditions;
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f) Places that are subject to depredation by criminal elements, such as those in
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prison reservations and penal colonies without adequate police protection;
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g) 
Plants and installations of arsenal;
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h) 
When aboard an aircraft or watercraft crossing bodies of water; and
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i) 
Other similar work conditions which the Department of Budget and Management
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(DBM), in consultation with the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) and the Civil Service
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Commission (CSC) and other appropriate agencies, shall consider as hazardous
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on the basis of exposure to environment, health, and social risks.
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SEC. 5. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the effective
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implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current year's appropriations
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of government agencies where the covered employees are employed. Thereafter, such
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sums as may be necessary for the continued implementation of this Act shall be
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included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
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SEC. 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from
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the effectivity of this Act, the CSC shall, in coordination with the OCD, DBM, and other


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relevant government offices, promulgate the implementing rules and regulations (IRR)
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to effectively carry out the provisions of this Act.
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SEC. 7. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is declared
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unconstitutional, the remainder hereof or any provisions not affected thereby shall
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remain in force and effect.
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SEC. 8. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance,
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executive order, letter of instruction, rule, or regulation inconsistent with the
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provisions of this Act is hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
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SEC. 9. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
10 complete publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,