Pagasa execs get no hazard pay, mull ‘sit-down strike’

With three weather disturbances seen to hit the Philippine archipelago and pour more rain on flooded Central Luzon and parts of Metro Manila, less or zero weather advisories may be forthcoming as weather bureau experts protest their delayed hazard pay.

Fifteen government weather bureau specialists from the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) made sure they would hardly be noticed as they were seen walking out of the hall where the President was presiding over a dialogue with the protesting weathermen.

Pagasa Weathermen Employees Association president Ramon Agustin admitted the President did not seem to wield the power to make a commitment that they would be given what was due them.
The Pagasa experts were earlier reported as contemplating going on strike or quitting and seeking work in other countries where they expect to be handsomely paid.

“All that we just wanted is for the government to implement Republic Act 8439,” averred Agustin, who accused the government of being indecisive insofar as their issue is concerned.

He cited the Magna Carta for Scientists or Republic Act 8439, which provides that Pagasa weather forecasters were entitled to hazard allowances from 10 to 30 percent of their monthly basic salary.

Agustin added that the government did not seem to realize the risks and difficulties in doing what is expected of its weather men, who rely on their meager pay to raise their family.

At a press briefing earlier yesterday, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte merely said “the issue on the hazard pay of our forecasters is already with DBM.”

With no clear commitment coming from Aquino, the government weathermen said that since they did not intend to disrupt Pagasa’s operations, they would be compelled to go on a “sit-down strike.”
“Our service will continue no matter what. Even with our backs lying flat on the floor, we will do our job” assured Agustin, who admits feeling bad over the President’s failure to assure them that they would get their hazard pay.

Our forecasters have always risen to the occasion. They have never put the public in jeopardy. But I will have to speak also to Secretary Mario Montejo because I am quite sure that he has already coordinated with his forecasters to address their concerns. Sec. Montejo has long been talking with them. So has Director Mon Liboro with our Pagasa forecasters for them to first air their concerns and, second, to work with them with other agencies on those concern,” Valte declared.

Of Pagasa’s 867 employees, they only have 56 meteorologists categorized differently. Thirty-six meteorologists are attached to the agency’s weather division. The government weather bureau has been losing its specialists and experts to private companies abroad where most of them are now receiving handsomer pay.

“Perhaps in lieu of hazardous pay would be added pay,” quipped Aquino who went on the say that after the State sorts out who should be receiving hazard pay, they could include it in the annual budget proposal for the agency. –Fernan J. Angeles, Daily Tribune