Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

‘TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House BillNo. 4131

Introduced by Representative Nelson S. Legacion
Third Congressional District, Camarines Sur

The Philippines’ inherent vulnerability to natural disasters places immense
reliance on the unwavering dedication of its local govemment frontline workers.
‘Among these are the personnel of Disaster Risk Reduction and Management
Offices (DRRMOs), Solid Waste Management Offices (SWMOs), and Local
Government Unit (LGU) Electrician units. Their duties during calamities are
exceptionally perilous, demanding immediate response and exposing them to
severe environmental, health, and physical dangers.

In particular, recent onslaught of Typhoons Crising, Dante and Emong in
July 2025 serves as a stark and timely illustration of their critical and hazardous
roles. These powerful typhoons unleashed devastating impacts across numerous
areas in the Philippines. During their respective onslaughts, these dedicated
personnel bravely engaged in vital search and rescue operations, extensive debris
clearing, and critical power restoration amidst extreme and life-threatening
conditions. Their swift and courageous actions were critical in minimizing
casualties and facilitating early recovery efforts across the affected regions.

Despite these indispensable and often life-saving contributions, the
provision of adequate hazard pay for these essential workers remains inconsistent
or entirely absent, particularly for those under job order, contract of service, or other
non-permanent employment statuses. This disparity not only undermines their
morale but also fails to provide just compensation for their extraordinary sacrifices.

The justification for a 30% hazard pay during a declared State of Calamity
stems from the extraordinarily heightened risks and life-threatening conditions
these specific workers face. While the standard hazard pay (such as the 26%
proposed by this representation’s general "Local Govemment Hazard Pay Act")
addresses inherent occupational dangers, a State of Calamity presents an
exponentially more hazardous environment. Said personnel are exposed to
collapsed structures, fast-moving floodwaters, live electrical wires, disease vectors
from unsanitary conditions, and the extreme physical demands of search, rescue,

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and restoration, often for prolonged periods with minimal rest. This intensified and
immediate threat to life and limb warrants a higher premium. The 30% rate for
calamity responders recognizes this exceptional level of danger and serves as a
significant, yet deserved, incentive and compensation for their heroic service.

This proposed measure further builds upon legislative efforts for hazard pay
during a state of calamity undertaken during the 19th Congress by the following
distinguished members of both Houses: Representative Rosanna V. Vergara and
Senator Christopher Lawrence T. Go.

This proposed "Enhanced Calamity Hazard Pay Act" directly addresses this
inequity. By mandating enhanced hazard pay for these LGU employees during a
declared State of Calamity, this bill serves to recognize their extraordinary courage,
ensure equitable compensation regardless of employment status, and strengthen
the nation's overall disaster response capabilities. Its timely passage is a crucial
step in upholding the State's commitment to protecting and valuing its most
vulnerable and indispensable public servants.

In view of the foregoing, immediate passage of this measure is sought.



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH (20th) CONGRESS.
First Regular Session

House Bill No. _4131

Introduced by Representative Nelson S. Legacion
Third Congressional District, Camarines Sur

AN ACT GRANTING ENHANCED HAZARD PAY TO EMPLOYEES OF
DISASTER RISK REDUCTION AND MANAGEMENT OFFICES (DRRMO),
SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT OFFICES (SWMO), AND ELECTRICIAN
EMPLOYEES IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS, REGARDLESS OF
EMPLOYMENT STATUS, FOR SERVICES RENDERED DURING A
DECLARED STATE OF CALAMITY, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR

SECTION 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as the “Enhanced Calamity
Hazard Pay Act.”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. It is hereby declared the policy of the
State to protect and promote the well-being of its public servants, particularly those
who render essential and high-risk services during times of natural or human-
induced calamities. Recognizing the extraordinary courage and indispensable
roles played by employees involved in disaster risk reduction and management,
solid waste management, and electrical restoration, the State shall ensure that they
receive appropriate and enhanced compensation for the life-threatening risks they
undertake during a declared State of Calamity, regardless of their employment
status.

SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. For purposes of this Act, the following
terms are defined, to wit:

a. Enhanced Hazard Pay — refers to the additional compensation granted to
qualified local government employees for the performance of duties that
expose them to imminent danger, extreme difficulty, or severe health risks
specifically during a declared State of Calamity.

b. Local Government Unit (LGU) ~ refers to a province, city, municipality, or
barangay.


c. Qualified Calamity Responder Employee — refers to any official or employee
of an LGU, regardless of employment status, whose primary duties involve
direct, on-site response or critical support during a declared State of
Calamity. This shall specifically include, but not be limited to:

(1) Employees of the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office
(ORRMO) or its equivalent;

(2) Employees of the Solid Waste Management Office (SWMO) or its
equivalent, specifically when engaged in post-calamity clearing,
sanitation, and debris management;

3)

Electrician Employees of the LGU or its attached utilities,
specifically when engaged in power restoration and maintenance
during and immediately after a calamity; and

(4) Other LGU employees whose duties are certified by the Local Chief
Executive as essential and directly exposing them to specific,
heightened hazards due to the declared State of Calamity.

d. Employment Status — refers to any form of engagement with the LGU,
including permanent, temporary, casual, contractual, contract of service, or
job order positions.

e. State of Calamity — refers to a condition involving the widespread effects of
a disaster, which has been officially declared by the President of the
Philippines or by the Local Sanggunian, as defined in Republic Act No.
10121, otherwise known as the "Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and
Management Act of 2010.”

SECTION 4. Grant of Enhanced Hazard Pay. All Qualified Calamity
Responder Employees shall be entitled to Enhanced Hazard Pay for services
rendered during a period when a State of Calamity has been officially declared in
their respective LGU's jurisdiction. This entitlement shall apply regardless of their
employment status.

SECTION 5. Amount and Release of Enhanced Hazard Pay. For services
rendered by Qualified Calamity Responder Employees during an officially declared
State of Calamity, the Enhanced Hazard Pay will be thirty percent (30%) of their
basic monthly salary. This amount will be prorated based on the actual calendar
days the employee performed duties under the declared State of Calamity, as
certified by their office head. The Enhanced Hazard Pay will be released within
fifteen (15) calendar days after the lifting of the State of Calamity, or at the end of
each month if the State of Calamity extends beyond a month. It will be disbursed
concurrently with the employee's regular salary, upon certification of actual
services rendered.

SECTION 6. Conditions for Entitlement. Enhanced Hazard Pay will be
granted solely for actual services rendered by the Qualified Calamity Responder
Employee during the conditions of an officially declared State of Calamity. This pay
is not considered part of the employee's basic salary for computing other benefits,

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‘except for contributions to the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) and
Pag-IBIG Fund, if applicable based on their employment status. This Enhanced
Hazard Pay is separate from and in addition to any regular hazard pay or other
allowances the employee may already be receiving for their usual duties.

SECTION 7. Funding. The initial amount necessary for the implementation
of this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act for the
ensuing fiscal year following its approval, to be appropriated from the National
Treasury as financial assistance to LGUs. Thereafter, the necessary funds for the
continuous grant of Enhanced Hazard Pay under this Act shall be sourced primarily
from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (NDRRMF) and
the respective LGUs’ calamity funds. The National Government, through the
Department of Budget and Management, shall provide supplementary financial
assistance to LGUs with limited fiscal capacity to ensure compliance, subject to the
availability of funds and specific guidelines.

SECTION 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). Within ninety (90)
days from the effectivity of this Act, the Department of Budget and Management
(DBM), in coordination with the Department of the Interior and Local Government
(DILG), the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council
(NDRRMC), the Civil Service Commission (CSC), and the Department of Labor
and Employment (DOLE), shall jointly promulgate the necessary rules and
regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.

SECTION 9. Separability Clause. If any provision or part of this Act is
declared unconstitutional or invalid, the validity of the other provisions shall not be
affected by such declaration and shall remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 10. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules
and regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are
hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.

SECTION 11. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of
general circulation.

Approved,