BY CHRYSEE G. SAMILLANO
Bacolod Councilor Renecito Novero, vice chairman of the Sangguniang Panlungsod Committee on Finance, yesterday said his committee will submit a report to the SP on the special risk allowance sought by Mayor Evelio Leonardia.
Leonardia has asked the SP to pass a resolution granting special risk allowance to personnel involve in the in the frontline and other essential services during the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) relative to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The mayor wrote the SP requesting for the passage of a resolution for the adoption of measures and corresponding basis for the grant of special risk allowance to the frontliners
Baribar said the risk allowance for the frontliners will be considered as long as the work they rendered was within the ECQ period that lasted from March 30 to May 31. The total amount will depend on the number of days they rendered work, which will not be more than 25 percent of their monthly basic salary or honoraria.
Workers included and are qualified to receive this allowance are either regular, casual, contractual or even job order casuals. Also included are the barangay health workers (BHW) and Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD) workers who are included in the definition of the category of recipients under the DBM Circular, Novero said.
He added that this is on top of the hazard pay they are receiving under the law, and the allowance is an additional bonus they will be receiving due to the extra effort and the extra risk they faced during the ECQ.
According to the Budget Officer the city has available funds. It will be taken from the savings from prior year’s unobligated vacancies and funds from the coffers of the city, he said.
Novero said Councilor Cindy Rojas, chair of the Committee on Finance, will make a committee report and submit it to the City Council.*
