Concept of Hazard Duty Pay
- Compensation premium for officials/employees exposed to hazards due to work nature or location
- Excludes hazards affecting the entire local population such as air, land, waterborne, and noise hazards
Coverage
- All government officials and employees, whether permanent, temporary, casual, or contractual (if in nature of regular employment)
- Applies to national government, GOCCs (Government-owned and/or -controlled corporations), and government financial institutions
- Includes full-time and part-time workers funded through lump-sum or project funds
Exemptions
- Employees in areas where the entire local population faces the same air, land, waterborne, and noise hazards
- Employees covered by special laws or charters specifically granting Hazard Duty Pay
Definitions of Hazardous Work Areas
- Difficult/distressed/isolated areas characterized by remoteness, poor access, extreme weather, certified by department heads
- Areas affected by volcanic activity and related dangers certified by Secretary of Science and Technology
- Areas with risks from radiation, contagious diseases, toxic chemicals certified by Secretary of Health
- Areas exposed to hazardous pollutants certified by Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources
- Mental health institutions with risk of bodily harm certified by Secretary of Health
- Prison camps lacking adequate police protection certified by Secretary of Justice
- Embattled or strife-torn areas with armed conflict or explosive risks certified by Secretary of National Defense
- Rescue operation sites during natural calamities with direct exposure to hazards certified by Chairman of NDCCC
General Guidelines on Granting Pay
- Agency heads authorized to grant Hazard Duty Pay without DBM approval
- Possible augmentation of pay rates subject to DBM approval
- Pay period coterminous with actual hazardous assignment, max 3 months unless extended with approval
- Part-time employees receive half the full-time pay rate
- Payment for detailed employees made by mother agency
- Only one type of hazard pay allowed where multiple hazards apply, choosing the most advantageous
- Quarterly reporting to DBM on employees granted Hazard Duty Pay mandatory
- Additional agency-specific guidelines allowed
Rates of Hazard Duty Pay
- Monthly pay according to days exposed:
- 1 to 10 days: PHP 400
- 11 to 20 days: PHP 500
- 21 to 31 days: PHP 600
- Rescue operations receive maximum rate regardless of exposure duration
- Rates subject to annual budget law changes
Limitations on Entitlement
- No Hazard Duty Pay if employee is on leave (vacation, sick, study), maternity/terminal leave, summer vacation for over one month
- Not entitled if on full-time detail elsewhere, attending training, or on official travel outside hazardous areas
- Otherwise pay granted per guidelines
Funding Sources
- National agencies charge pay to specific personal services appropriations
- In absence of appropriation, charge against current operating expenditures savings after mandatory expenses paid
- Any such use of savings deducted from Miscellaneous Personnel Benefits Fund claims
- GOCCs and government financial institutions charge to corporate funds
Agency Head Responsibility
- Agency heads personally liable for improper payment of Hazard Duty Pay
- Refunds required if excess payments made
Resolution of Issues
- Uncovered cases submitted to Department of Budget and Management for decision
Repealing and Effectivity
- Supersedes National Compensation Circular No. 76 (1995)
- Effective January 1, 1996