Legarda pushes calamity work pay, stronger protection for workers amid storms

Senator Loren Legarda called for stronger protection for workers who continue to sustain the economy during calamities, stressing the need for fair compensation, safe working arrangements, and adequate support for the added risks and expenses they face.

Legarda made the call following the release of the June 2026 Labor Force Survey, which showed that the number of employed Filipinos rose to 50.66 million. The services sector accounted for the largest share of employment at 62.7 percent, followed by the agriculture sector at 20 percent and the industry sector at 17.3 percent.

“Sa likod ng bawat numero ay isang manggagawang Pilipino na bumabangon araw-araw para kumita at may maiuwi sa pamilya. Isipin natin ang isang empleyadong kailangang humanap ng masasakyan sa baha, magbayad ng mas mahal na pamasahe, at bumiyahe nang mas matagal habang nangangamba kung ligtas ba siyang makakauwi sa kanyang pamilya,” Legarda said.

She cited workers in transport, food supply, healthcare, utilities, media, retail, construction, agriculture, education, public services, and other onsite sectors who continue to perform duties despite severe weather and transport disruptions.

Legarda earlier filed Senate Bill 520 or the proposed Calamity Work Compensation Act, which would grant covered private-sector employees required to report onsite an additional 30 percent of their daily wage during Signal No. 3, No. 4, or No. 5, or an equivalent level of calamity. The proposed additional compensation recognizes the additional burdens faced by workers, including limited transportation, increased commuting costs, restricted access to food and necessities, and heightened safety risks.

Legarda clarified that the measure does not encourage workers to put themselves in danger, nor does it replace hazard pay or any other legally mandated benefit.

The bill also allows employers to implement a Calamity Work Contingency Plan in lieu of monetary compensation, subject to the approval of the Department of Labor and Employment and the concurrence of workers’ representatives, where applicable. Such arrangements may include safe transportation, food, temporary shelter, and occupational safety measures.

“Kung kinakailangang pumasok ang manggagawa sa gitna ng bagyo o baha upang mapanatiling bukas ang operasyon at maipagpatuloy ang serbisyo, nararapat lamang na kilalanin at tumbasan ang dagdag na panganib at gastos na ipinapasan sa kanya. Dapat may kaakibat itong makatarungang dagdag na kompensasyon at sapat na proteksyon,” Legarda said.

Legarda likewise underscored the need to strengthen protection for informal, platform-based, and self-employed workers, including delivery riders, drivers, vendors, and other daily earners whose livelihoods often require them to remain on the road or in public spaces despite dangerous weather. She cited the recent death of a delivery rider in Antipolo City, who died after a tree and utility pole fell on him while he sought shelter amid heavy rain, as a painful reminder that worker protection must also extend to those outside traditional employer-employee arrangements.

“Maraming delivery rider, driver, vendor, at iba pang-arawang kumikita ang patuloy na naghahanap-buhay kahit masama ang panahon dahil kapag hindi sila kumita ngayong araw, maaaring walang panggastos ang pamilya kinabukasan,” Legarda said.

“Hindi dapat limitado ang usapin ng proteksyon. Kailangan natin palakasin ang safety measures, emergency assistance, insurance, at social protection para sa lahat ng manggagawa, anuman ang uri ng kanilang hanapbuhay,” Legarda added.

The four-term Senator stressed that worker protection must form part of disaster preparedness and climate adaptation, especially as extreme weather increasingly disrupts transport, workplaces, and livelihoods.

“Hindi dapat kapalit ng isang araw na kita ang kaligtasan ng isang manggagawa. Araw-araw, lalo na sa panahon ng kalamidad, dapat lang na tiyakin ang dignidad at proteksyon ng bawat isa, at mabigyan sila ng katiyakan na may masasandalan sa oras ng pangangailangan” Legarda concluded. (30)