FEB 17, 2016

NR # 4113B

Hazard pay for cops pushed

Police personnel who are in combat duty in any parts of the country will receive an
additional hazard pay while on duty.
Rep. Gabriel Luis R. Quisumbing (6th District, Cebu City) authored House Bill
5455, which increases the combat duty pay of the policemen amounting to P240 by 25
percent of their base pay.
The increase will cover all commissioned and non-commissioned Philippine
National Police (PNP) personnel, according to Quisumbing.
Quisumbing said the proposed PNP Combat Duty Pay Increase also provides for
a mission allowance to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) personnel who are
exposed to adversity, combat situation and hazards unusual to peacekeeping.
Quisumbing said the mission allowance of the soldiers should represent 50% of
their base pay.
Quisumbing said the hazard pay increase will be given only to those who are
assigned to critical areas or tactical units like the 44 members of the Special Action Forces
55th Company who died in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.
With the risk inherent in such missions, the concerned PNP troops only receive
measly salaries, allowances, and benefits in exchange for the dangers they face in
fulfilling their duties, Quisumbing said.
The amount necessary to implement the proposed act for the current year shall be
charged against the savings of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).
Under the bill, the total amount of the hazard pay increase for policemen and
soldiers will be included in the General Appropriation Act.
Quisumbing cited the Section 5 of Article XVI of the Constitution, which provides
that professionalism in the armed forces and adequate remuneration and benefits of its
members shall be a prime concern of the State. (30) maprs