Revised Guidelines on Payment of Hazard Allowance to S & T Personnel Under R.A. No. 8439

2007

DOST ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 002-07

 

1.0  Purpose

These revised guidelines shall serve as bases in the processing and payment of hazard allowance of S & T personnel in view of the amended Implementing Rules and Regulations of RA No. 8439 effective December 22, 2005.

2.0  Definition of Terms

2.1  Hazard Allowance is a compensation premium, which is generally paid to S & T personnel who are exposed to hazards, directly or indirectly, because of the nature and/or location of their work.

2.2.  Hazardous Areas shall cover any of the following:

2.2.1.  Difficult/distressed or hardship posts characterized by distance, inconvenience of travel due to bad roads and condition of the terrain, isolation, inaccessibility and extreme weather conditions; remote/depressed areas;

2.2.2.  Work areas on land, air, and seas that are high danger zones to natural hazards;

2.2.3.  Work areas that may pose risks or danger to health or safety due to exposure to dangerous working conditions or environmental elements such as, contaminants; ionizing radiation; communicable, contagious, infectious diseases; flammable/combustible, explosive, reactive, corrosive and toxic chemicals and biologicals; absence or inadequate supply of safe and potable water; harmful physical substances and mechanical devices, operation of heavy equipment/apparatus; and other environmental hazards; TacADE

2.2.4.  Strife-torn or embattled areas where conflict exists;

2.2.5.  Work areas declared as under a state of calamity or emergency;

2.2.6.  Laboratories and service workshops.

3.0.  Coverage

S & T personnel who occupy plantilla positions whether permanent or temporary, on full-time or part-time basis, and contractual, casual or emergency positions charged to lumpsum, appropriations now existing or hereafter created provided that they conform with the provisions of Sec. 5 of R.A. No. 8439 and are exposed to hazards due to the nature and/or location of their work are entitled to hazard allowance.

4.0  Allowable Amount of Hazard Allowance

S & T personnel involved in hazardous undertakings or assigned in hazardous workplaces shall be paid hazard allowance equivalent to 15% or 30% of their monthly basic salary depending on the nature and extent of the hazard involved. If exposure to hazard is direct, the S & T personnel are entitled to hazard allowance equivalent to 30% of their monthly basic salary. If exposure to hazard is indirect, the S & T personnel is entitled to hazard allowance of 15% of their monthly basis salary. Indirectly exposed are those who have interaction with personnel of agencies who are exposed to hazards.

5.0  Other Provisions

5.1.  The agency head shall determine the personnel entitled to this allowance and the extent of exposure of said personnel to hazards.

5.2.  Payment shall be based on exposure to hazard in the work area and while in the performance of the assigned work. The entitlement to the hazard allowance shall be co-terminus with the assignment of the personnel in the hazardous work or work areas. Exposure to hazards as defined in Section 2.2 shall entitle one to a full month's hazard allowance.

5.3.  Personnel who are entitled to receive hazard allowance under existing laws, special laws, charters or enabling acts may opt to avail instead, of the hazard allowance under R.A. No. 8439.

5.4.  Personnel on study leave whether full-time or part-time who conduct laboratory research related to the course, as duly certified by the school authority shall be entitled to this allowance. HAIaEc

5.5.  The declaration of the hazardous work areas shall be duly certified by the DOST Secretary upon recommendation of the agency head. The DOST Secretary may refer to the appropriate authorized agency for the necessary certification.

6.0  Committee Composition and Functions

The Agency Hazard Allowance Committee shall be composed of one chairperson and at least two members, one of whom is a rank and file employee nominated by the employees' association, subject to the approval of the head of agency.

The DOST Hazard Allowance Committee shall be composed of one chairperson and three members who are third level officials, and one member who is a rank and file employee nominated by the employees' associations, subject to the approval of the DOST Secretary.

The Hazard Allowance Committee shall be in charge of evaluating and processing applications of accredited S & T personnel for the coverage of grant of hazard allowance under R.A. No. 8439.

7.0.  Procedures

7.1  The Agency Hazard Allowance Committee screens accredited S & T personnel exposed to hazards and recommends to Head of Agency;

7.2  The Head of Agency endorses recommended S & T personnel to DOST Secretary indicating functions of the Division and individual functions of the applicant with their individual hazard exposure;

7.3  The DOST Hazard Allowance Committee evaluates hazard exposure of the S & T personnel. Evaluation of applications shall be on a quarterly basis. Applications received after quarter-end shall be processed on the following quarter;

7.4  The DOST Hazard Allowance Committee may require the submission of additional documents as deemed necessary and may at their option conduct ocular inspection in the work areas of applicants; EHTISC

7.5  The DOST Hazard Allowance Committee recommends to DOST Secretary the names of S & T personnel who may be entitled to hazard allowance;

7.6  The DOST Secretary issues Certification of Hazard Allowance eligibility to authorized S & T personnel.

8.0  Funding Source

The department, agency or office concerned shall provide the necessary funds through appropriation and/or savings to cover the hazard allowance of their respective eligible S & T personnel.

9.0  Effectivity

This Order supersedes DOST Administrative Order No. 017 dated August 04, 1998, Series of 1998 and DOST Memorandum dated June 03, 1999, "Additional Guidelines on the IRR of RA No. 8439 for Scholarships/Grant Privileges", and shall take effect fifteen days after publication in the Official Gazette.

For newly certified S & T Personnel, effectivity date of entitlement to hazard allowance shall be upon date of certification of the DOST Secretary.

(SGD.) ESTRELLA F. ALABASTROSecretary

Published in the Official Gazette, Vol. 103, No. 26, p. 3988, June 25, 2007.