Bong Go seeks tax-free hazard pay for disaster responders

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go has filed Senate Bill No. 669 seeking to provide tax-exempt hazard pay to disaster response personnel and accredited community disaster volunteers during a declared state of calamity.

The proposed measure amends Republic Act No. 10121, or the “Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010,” and aims to recognize the sacrifices made by frontliners who risk their lives in times of natural or man-made disasters.

“The Philippines is prone to tropical cyclones due to its geographical location which often results in casualties to human life and destruction to crops and properties,” Go said.

“Additionally, the Philippines is also one of the most vulnerable countries when it comes to volcanic eruptions and earthquakes as it is located along the ‘Pacific Ring of Fire’ where earthquakes and volcanic activities are relatively frequent due to plate tectonic movements,” he added.

As major parts of the country face inclement weather, Go emphasized that emergency responders are once again risking their lives to save others. Framing the bill as a necessary act of recognition, he underscored the heroism of first responders.

“At the forefront of the response to these disasters are the first responders, first aiders, emergency care workers, and emergency response teams. Blood, sweat, tears, and lives were sacrificed in the line of service to save another,” Go said.

“For this reason, it is just proper to compensate the efforts of the emergency frontliners. These modern-day heroes sacrifice their lives for others and help mitigate negative impacts caused by calamities,” he continued in the bill’s explanatory note.

Go’s advocacy echoes his previous effort in the 19th Congress, where he co-sponsored Senate Resolution No. 233 honoring five members of the Bulacan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office who died during Super Typhoon Karding on September 25, 2022.

The five rescuers — George Agustin, Troy Justin Agustin, Marby Bartolome, Jerson Resurrecion, and Narciso Calayag Jr. — died while helping residents escape floodwaters in San Miguel, Bulacan.

Under Senate Bill No. 669, local government units (LGUs) would be mandated to provide hazard pay to their Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (LDRRMO) personnel, Barangay Risk Reduction and Management Committees (BRRMCs), and all accredited community disaster volunteers (ACDVs) within their jurisdiction during a state of calamity declared by the President.

“On account of risking their own lives to rescue and give aid to Filipinos affected by natural and man-made calamities, there is a need to amend the provisions of Republic Act No. 10121… to mandate the local government units (LGUs) to grant hazard pay to the personnel of their respective Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices (LDRRMOs) and Barangay Risk Reduction and Management Committees (BRRMCs) as well as all accredited community disaster volunteers (ACDVs) enlisted in their respective territorial jurisdictions during the State of Calamity declared by the President of the Philippines,” Go explained.

The proposed law states that all qualified personnel and volunteers would receive monthly hazard pay throughout the entire duration of the declared calamity, regardless of employment status. Notably, the hazard pay would be tax-exempt.

Funding for the program would be sourced from the budget of the provincial LGUs responsible for the qualified personnel and volunteers.

Go said the bill is part of his broader legislative push to enhance disaster preparedness and resilience in the country. He is also the principal author and co-sponsor of Republic Act No. 12076, or the Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act, which mandates the construction of permanent disaster-resilient evacuation centers nationwide.

In addition, Go has refiled Senate Bill No. 173, or the proposed Department of Disaster Resilience Act, to establish a centralized agency for disaster risk reduction, response, and recovery.