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Bill increasing Hazard Pay of all Firefighters in the country

Bill increasing Hazard Pay of all Firefighters in the country

“To save lives and protect properties” – this is the slogan of the Bureau of Fire Protection in its commitment to serve the public.  In response to the ever changing socio-economic and political aspects of the nation, the Bureau of Fire Protection is faced with challenge of improving its services to the general public, decreased appropriation of funds by the government, aging manpower, procurement of Fire Fighting equipment, and selection of competent new members of the fire service.

Quezon City 2nd District Representative Precious Hipolito Castelo has filed House bill No. 03535 in the 18th Congress that seeks to increase the hazard pay of all firefighters (Firefighter Hazard Pay Act) in the country of at least twenty percent (20%) of their monthly basic salary.

firefighters HB
Photo: http://www.congress.gov.ph/legisdocs/basic_18/HB03535

In her explanatory note, the lawmaker noted that “It’s about time that the hazard pay of these unsung heroes got an upgrade from the meager of ₱12 per day to at least 20% of their basic salary and the same shall not be subject to tax. It should be a matter of State policy to uphold the welfare of government workers who offer their lives in the fulfillment of their duties.”

There is no gainsaying that firefighters are at high risk on account of the nature of their work. Their very existence is in jeopardy each time they discharge their sworn duty. They selflessly risk their lives in order to save those of the others who are caught in a fire outbreak.

Source:

http://www.congress.gov.ph/legisdocs/basic_18/HB03535