Upon instructions of Police General Archie Francisco F Gamboa, the Philippine National Police is now fast-tracking the smooth release of funds allocated for the hazard pay of police personnel who are rendering their duties as frontliners of the Enhance Community Quarantine.
The PNP Directorate for Comptrollership bared that a uniform rate of Php 235.00 per day or a total of not more than Php 7,050.00 per month may be extended to all qualified personnel who are serving as frontliners in times of COVID-19.
This is based on the available funds of the PNP for since government agencies are directed to source out a Hazard Pay from its own available funds from the FY 2020 appropriations, Acting Director for Comptrollership, PBGen Marni Marcos Jr clarified.
For now, the PNP is coordinating with the Department of Budget and Management for availability of additional funds to complete the amount of 500 pesos as its maximum pay for frontliners.
Marcos also appealed to all concerned personnel to read properly the issuances regarding the grant of COVID-19 Hazard Pay so that they will be enlightened in the midst of misinformation.
Furtheremore, the PNP also made efforts in coordinating with the Accredited Private Lending Institutions with regard to the suspension of loan deductions in order to augment the financial capabilities of our personnel hence increasing their Net Take Home Pay which in turn shall benefit their respective families especially during this crisis brought about by the pandemic, he added.
“We keep on track in informing our frontliners personnel about their Hazard Pay, what we want to appeal is to be well-informed to avoid further speculations and false accusations which are rampant nowadays especially on social media,” Marcos said.
Meanwhile, PNP Spokesperson, PBGen Bernard M Banac also urged the public to refrain from posting and sharing unverified information showing a Hazard Pay computation of the PNP, Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology. The latter agencies are yet to release their final computation of hazard pay.
“We will go against those making fake news and unverified information as it would tend to sow confusion among the public,” he said.
Some quarters, employing agents of disinformation, are apparently attempting to create intrigues in the organization to undermine national response against COVID-19. It is only a matter of time for the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Crime Group to identify and arrest the authors of this disinformation, Banac said. (PNP-PIO)
PNP Official Statement (Friday, 03 April 2020)