Senator Loren Legarda has filed a measure recognizing the efforts and crucial role of Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) workers amid the worsening impact of climate change on the country.

Legarda filed Senate Bill (SB) 2927, or the Magna Carta for Public Disasters Risk Reduction and Management Workers, as the Philippines has consistently topped the World Risk Index among 193 countries.

“The country as a whole faces natural hazards more than any other nation in the world. We face earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and other natural and human-induced hazards,” said Legarda, who is a United Nations Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) Global Champion for Resilience.

SB 2927 seeks to institutionalize measures that would protect the DRRM workers’ welfare, promote professional growth, and enhance their capacity to deliver critical services.

The proposed measure also aims to improve the socio-economic and psychological well-being of DRRM workers by creating a better working environment, improving their terms of employment, and providing robust benefits.

The bill focuses on professionalizing the DRRM workforce by offering capacity-building opportunities.

“With the passage of this bill into law, we want the government to recognize the significance of their contributions by supporting those who consistently risk their lives to save others from certain destruction,” Legarda said.

She stressed the need to improve the working conditions of DRRM workers in terms of career advancement and psychosocial care to equip them to fulfill their roles.

“To be disaster resilient, we must be capable of covering all fields, including our DRRM workers that tirelessly risk their lives in the field,” Legarda said.

The measure proposes a hazard pay for high-risk activities, mandatory insurance coverage, overtime pay, night differential, and retirement pay for eligible DRRM workers, among other benefits.

“As we seek ourselves to be more capable against the power of Mother Nature and increase the chances of safety, we hope the passage of this bill into law can help inspire many to stay in this noble endeavor,” she said.

Legarda is a co-sponsor of the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010, as well as the principal author of the PAGASA Modernization Act of 2015 aimed at making the country better prepared against typhoons.