Solon believes DSWD social workers' hazard pay should be expanded

A lawmaker on Monday asked the Department of Social Welfare and Development to be committed to providing hazard pay for all its social workers on the ground as they, too, were at risk during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a Congressional hearing on the DSWD's proposed 2022 budget, Kabataan party-list Representative Sara Elago inquired whether all social workers were receiving their hazard pay amid the pandemic.

DSWD Assistant Secretary Joseline Niwane said social workers who worked during an enhanced community quarantine and modified enhanced community quarantine were provided hazard pay.

The DSWD had around 30,000 social workers, Niwane added.

"Those who worked during the ECQ and MECQ, they were given hazard pay as stated in the law, including health care workers and frontline workers will be getting that amount," she explained.

In the same hearing, DSWD Undersecretary Ernesto Gaviola said they spent P340 million for the hazard pay of their personnel amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

But Elago said social workers are entitled to receive hazard pay even if they were not working during the ECQ and MECQ because there were areas under a state of calamity or emergency during the pandemic.

"Utang natin 'di lang hazard pay ng health workers kundi hazard pay ng social workers," she added.

(We owe, not just health workers, but social workers hazard pay.)

"Hingi na lang tayo ng commitment sa DSWD na huwag pabayaan na hindi matanggap ng social workers yung allowance," the lawmaker urged.

(Let's ask the DSWD to commit itself to make sure social workers get their allowances.)

— DVM, GMA News