By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan/Philippine News Agency
MANILA – The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) welcomed a lawmaker’s move to refile a bill pushing for a Magna Carta of benefits for the agency’s officers and personnel.
“Passing of the bill into law will definitely enhance the morale and welfare of the agency’s personnel and strengthen the capability of the agency in the performance of its mandate,” PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino said in his letter dated July 18 addressed to Surigao del Sur Rep. Robert Ace Barbers which obtained by the Philippine News Agency on Wednesday.
“We recognize and appreciate your efforts in filing the Magna Carta. The men and women of the agency indeed deserve appropriate compensation, training opportunities and other benefits provided by the said bill,” Aquino stressed, adding they are hoping for the positive response of our legislators for the reconsideration of this bill.
House Bill 73 or the proposed “Magna Carta of the Drug Enforcement Officers and Other Personnel of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency”, is originally House Bill 9016 sponsored by Barbers who chaired the House committee on dangerous drugs in the 17th Congress.
He refiled the bill on the first day of the 18th Congress.
The bill seeks to institute a measure that will provide PDEA employees with acceptable living and working conditions, better terms of employment, career opportunities, proper training, and schooling to uplift their knowledge, competence, transparency, and commitment to service.
Under the proposed bill, PDEA officers and personnel shall be entitled to receive the following allowances aside from their basic salary based on the Salary Standardization Law: monthly PHP2,000 personnel economic relief allowance (PERA); PHP5,000 clothing allowance; PHP1,500 uniform allowance; hazard pay equivalent to 30 percent of the basic salary monthly salary; combat pay equivalent to 25 percent of basic monthly salary; representation and transportation allowances; longevity pay; and special counsel allowance ranging from PHP1,250 to PHP4,000 per month.
“Being part of PDEA, the lead agency in the national anti-drug campaign, is not easy, because of the hazards and risk in going after drug personalities and syndicates who have the resources to fight back,” Aquino pointed out.
Barbers is a staunch ally of PDEA in the country’s anti-illegal drug campaign.
Barbers said he refiled the bill on behalf of all PDEA personnel who risk their lives fighting illegal drugs for the betterment of the country.
“The PDEA, as the lead agency in the government’s anti-drug campaign, exposes its personnel to dangerous situations, especially now that many drug syndicates are affected by the administration’s all-out war against illegal drugs,” Barbers said.
However, he noted that it is rather unfortunate that despite the critical role PDEA agents play, their economic well-being and professional development are afforded little attention.
“In return for ensuring that our nation is safe from the dangers of illegal drugs, this bill will ensure that PDEA agents are provided sufficient compensation and accorded avenues for professionalization,” the Mindanaoan lawmaker said.
“With a better compensation package and health benefits, it is also hoped that government would be able to attract more PDEA recruits who will serve the country with dedication and honesty,” Barbers added.
If enacted into law, the measure will provide PDEA employees with acceptable living and working conditions, better terms of employment and career opportunities through a well-rationalized career development program, with proper training and schooling to enhance their knowledge, competence, transparency, respect for human dignity, and commitment to service.
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