Increased hazard pay for police in the works

MEMBERS of the Philippine National Police have something to look forward to this year because besides the 20,000 housing units that will be constructed for them, the government is also finalizing the guidelines for the increase on the hazard pay of its personnel.

According to Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo, the new hazard pay rate would be given to PNP members either this month or on August depending on the pace of the completion of the guideline.

From the current P260, Robredo said they are planning to increase the hazard pay to P500 or depending on the location assignment of the police officers.

Robredo last week led the ceremonial distribution of more than 300 housing units to the uniformed members of the PNP and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in Barangay Gaya-Gaya in San Jose del Monte City, Bulacan.

The distribution of the first batch of housing units is part of the AFP-PNP Housing Program launched by President Benigno Aquino 3rd in May that aims to address the housing needs of low-salaried soldiers and policemen nationwide.

The said housing project, which covers approximately 300,000 square meters, will benefit more than 2,000 AFP and PNP members upon its completion by the end of the year.

A total of P4.2-billion has been allocated by the government for the construction of 21,800 housing units within the year to be divided and distributed equally to qualified AFP and PNP members.

Robredo noted that the housing project is part of the continuous commitment of the present administration to increase the benefits of the soldiers and policemen that have been ensuring the security and safety of the Filipino people.

“It’s such a pity that those who ensure the safety and peace of our country are the ones that don’t have their own house. So allow us to some how repay your sincerity,” Robredo added. –JEFFERSON ANTIPORDA, Manila Times