Bontoc garbage collectors, plumbers to get hazard pay

By Alpine L. Killa

BONTOC, Mountain Province - Garbage collectors and pipefitters/ plumbers who are regular employees of the Bontoc local government will now start to receive their hazard pay.

In its resolution, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Mountain Province approved Municipal Ordinance No. 313- 2019 of the municipality of Bontoc that grants hazard pay to regular employees of the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office and Municipal Waterworks Office.   

The ordinance covers only personnel of MENRO and Municipal Waterworks directly engaged in jobs with high risks of exposure to health hazards, and personnel infirmed whose condition was due to the said hazardous works who; however, are functional but reassigned to other duties and tasks.

Also, the hazard pay shall be equal or across–the–board to all qualified MENRO and Municipal Waterworks personnel regardless of rank or salary grade. 

Personnel who are not entitled to hazard pay are those assigned to administrative works in the office; those who are on leave of absence for the five consecutive days of the month; and those who incurred unauthorized leave of absence.

A maximum amount of P1,000 per month shall be granted to all qualified personnel of the MENRO and Municipal Waterworks. 

The Sangguniang Bayan passed the municipal ordinance recognizing the contribution of the garbage collectors and the Municipal Waterworks personnel of the risks attached to their invaluable service. 

Mayor Franklin Odsey said the local government has to protect its workers and provide them equitable compensation.

He reiterated his pronouncement that it is only when garbage collection draws to a halt, and there is a shortage on the supply of water or there is no supply of water due to unforeseen circumstances that the public fully appreciates the importance of garbage collectors and tuberos.

“Our garbage collectors and tuberos are performing duties and responsibilities that are hazardous to their health and they deserve to be granted with hazard pay allowed under existing rules and regulations,” the mayor added. 

 Councilor Jerome Tudlong, Jr., who sponsored the ordinance, thanked  members of the Sangguniang Bayan for their unanimous support in the passage of the ordinance.

Odsey who has always been supportive of the endeavor of the legislative body and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Mountain Province cited the bodies for approving the ordinance for implementation.