MANILA, Philippines - Two legislators have filed a bill in Congress, seeking to grant traffic aides, garbage collectors and street sweepers P2,000 hazard pay.
Under House Bill 3991 authored by Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez and Abante Mindanao partylist Rep. Maximo Rodriguez, these government workers will be entitled to hazard pay regardless of their employment status.
"These government workers are facing the risk and danger while doing their jobs everyday," Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez cited several cases of traffic aides who were manhandled by abusive motorists.
He said garbage collectors and street sweepers are also facing the risk and danger to their health and safety.
"The street sweepers are risking their lives while doing their routine job in main thoroughfares like EDSA, Quezon Ave and Commonwealth Avenue which is known as the killer highway," Rodriguez said.
"As people go about their daily lives, seldom do they stop to think about the persons who collects garbage, or the one who directs traffic on the streets, that is until the garbage piles up or the traffic grinds to a halt," Rodriguez added.
Rodriguez said these government workers are providing the citizenry with various kinds of services that make the lives of the Filipinos less stressful and more enjoyable.
"If only to show our gratitude to these selfless government employees, it is but just to compensate them for the dangers and risks their work exposes them to by providing them hazard pay," he added.