President Rodrigo Duterte has officially signed Administrative Order No. 26 to grant hazard pay to government personnel working during the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon due to COVID-19.
Under the directive, on-duty personnel of national government agencies, state universities and colleges, and government owned or controlled corporations will receive Php 500 daily.
It clarified that workers under Contract of Service (COS) and job order, along with regular, contractual, and casual employees who personally report to work are covered by the administrative order.
While Cabinet Secretary and IATF Spokesperson Karlo Nograles mentioned the hazard pay for private sector workers during the Laging Handa program on Monday, the matter has yet to be discussed by the IATF. He assured that the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is closely monitoring the situation.
Meanwhile, Nograles explained that quarantine passes are not for sale and that there is no “No mask, no entry” rule. He reiterated that the national and local government units have been given the same guidelines to follow.
He also clarified that health workers do not need to get accreditation IDs.
“Doon sa lumalabas na guidelines tungkol sa accreditation IDs, gusto ko lang pong linawin na para sa ating health workers po. Hindi po kayo kailangang kumuha ng mga accreditation ID po. (In our guidelines for accreditation IDs, I would like to clarify to health workers: You do not need to get accreditations IDs),” he said.
“Napakaimportante po na malaman ng mga health workers ito dahil kailangan pong pangalagaan natin ‘yung mga health workers dahil sila po ‘yung nag-aalaga ‘pag tayo ay nagkasakit (It’s very important for health workers to know this because we need to take care of them as they take care of us when we get sick),” he added.
Aside from the Laging Handa Public Briefing, an Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) meeting is set later today.
Senator Christopher Go said President Duterte will join the meeting and might have another public address after the meeting. – Report from Mela Lesmoras
