THE hazard and combat pay of policemen posted in danger zones will rise sharply if the proposed Magna Carta for the Philippine National Police sponsored by Senator Juan Edgardo Angara becomes law.
Under the Angara bill, the hazard and combat pay of a Police Officer II will be raise from only P580 a month to P8,467, or half of the pay grade’s monthly salary of P16,934.
“I believe that the measly amount of P580 a month is not enough to compensate for the bravery, hardship and sacrifice of our elite cops who willingly risk their lives for the security of the Filipino people,” Angara said.
The government must show greater appreciation and recognition for their unwavering service by increasing their benefits and allowances, the lawmaker added.
On top of a special hardship allowance, Angara’s bill also provides for a remote assignment allowance to uniformed PNP personnel who accept assignments in isolated locations, equivalent to half their monthly basic pay.
Angara’s bill also provides additional benefits for non-uniformed PNP personnel. Under the bill, police will also be entitled to reasonable leaves and retirement programs, and a development program that includes provisions on merit promotions, performance evaluation, in-service training, overseas and local scholarships, training grants, and an incentive award system,.
In the recent hearings on the Mamasapano incident in which 44 police commandos were killed, sacked Special Action Force chief Getulio Napeñas said police stationed in danger zones and those in tactical units receive hazard pay of P240 a month, and combat pay of P1,020 per quarter or P340 a month.
Under Angara’s bill, uniformed PNP personnel who are exposed to hardship and combat situations or other hazards unusual to peacekeeping, crime prevention and investigation activities will be compensated with a special hardship allowance, similar to hazard and combat pay, equivalent to at least 50 percent of their monthly basic salary.