Legislation Aims to Elevate the Welfare of Public DRRM Workers
Amid ongoing seismic activity across the country, a congressman from Metro Manila has filed a measure to shore up the welfare, protection, and professional development of disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) personnel. House Bill No. 5239, introduced by Parañaque 2nd district Rep. Brian Raymund Yamsuan, seeks to enact the Magna Carta for Public DRRM Workers, recognizing the frontline role these government personnel play in safeguarding communities and aiding disaster-affected populations.
The proposal lays out a comprehensive framework designed to address what the bill’s supporters describe as chronic gaps in benefits, training, and working conditions for DRRM workers who routinely face dangerous and stressful environments during the response to calamities.
What the Magna Carta Would Change
Key provisions of HB No. 5239 include:
- Hazard allowances and access to protective equipment, free vaccinations, and other prophylactic medicines.
- Compensation for work-related injuries and illnesses sustained in the line of duty.
- Creation of the Public DRRM Workers’ Education Trust Fund to fund education for the children and dependents of DRRM workers who die in the line of duty, covering primary through up to four years of undergraduate studies in accredited institutions.
- Continuing training, scholarships, and capacity-building activities for DRRM workers.
- Mandatory insurance coverage, along with medical, mental health, and psychosocial support.
- Retirement benefits and a robust framework for job security, with protection against discriminatory practices and unwarranted transfers.
Among the more notable elements is the establishment of a housing-related support system for DRRM personnel deployed away from home. The bill envisions free living quarters or a housing allowance for those on long tours of duty.
In clarifying who would qualify as a “public DRRM worker,” the measure defines personnel employed by the government engaged in duties across the pillars of DRRM: prevention and mitigation, preparedness, response, and rehabilitation and recovery. For permanently employed workers, the bill specifies security of tenure, ensuring due process and just causes for termination.
Incentives to Attract and Retain Frontline Heroes
Rep. Yamsuan emphasized the need to acknowledge the risks DRRM workers face, including physical danger, psychological stress, and occupational health gaps. The bill proposes not only material benefits but also professional incentives that could encourage continued service as frontline guardians of communities vulnerable to disasters.
The measure also contemplates non-fiscal supports such as legal assistance related to performance of duties, overtime pay, night-shift differentials, and travel-related allowances. An annual longevity pay of five percent of the monthly basic pay would reward five years of meritorious service, illustrating the bill’s long-term commitment to DRRM personnel.
Accountability and Enforcement
HB No. 5239 includes penalties for violations of its provisions, with fines up to ₱10,000 and imprisonment of up to one year, or both. The bill also suggests disqualification from public service for government officials found liable, reinforcing the government’s pledge to uphold the rights and welfare of DRRM workers.
As the House continues its deliberations on disaster preparedness and mitigation, supporters of the Magna Carta argue that strengthening DRRM workers’ welfare is integral to effective disaster risk reduction and community resilience. Critics may seek to balance costs and logistics with the long-term public safety benefits that a well-supported DRRM workforce can deliver.
With earthquakes continuing to test the country’s preparedness, the Magna Carta for Public DRRM Workers represents a bold step toward a safer, more resilient future—one that formally recognizes the sacrifices of those who stand on the front lines when calamities strike.
