The Department of Public Works and Highways has started screening employees for hazard allowances equivalent to 10% to 30% of their monthly basic salary, offering qualified engineers and technical personnel additional pay for work performed under dangerous conditions.
Under Department Order No. 98, Series of 2026, signed by DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon on July 8, the new guidelines cover eligible personnel conducting construction materials testing and accredited Pollution Control Officers (PCOs).
The amount employees can receive depends on two factors: the level of risk associated with their duties and the number of days they are exposed to hazardous conditions each month.
Personnel classified as high-risk are entitled to an allowance equivalent to 30% of their monthly basic salary if exposed to hazards for at least 15 days. The rate decreases to 23% for eight to 14 days of exposure and 15% for fewer than eight days.
Employees under the low-risk classification will receive 15%, 12% or 10% of their monthly basic salary for the same exposure periods, respectively.
The distinction reflects the different hazards encountered in DPWH technical operations. High-risk activities include chemical analysis in construction materials testing laboratories, inspections of hazardous waste storage areas, investigations of toxic waste spills and supervision of hazardous waste handling.
Meanwhile, laboratory employees conducting materials testing that does not involve chemical analysis may qualify under the low-risk category, depending on their actual duties and working conditions.
The additional compensation will be released monthly, with funding charged against the personnel services budgets of the respective DPWH offices.
The directive adopts DOST regulations under Republic Act No. 8439, as amended by Republic Act No. 11312, which establishes benefits for qualified government scientists, engineers, researchers and other science and technology personnel.
With the order taking immediate effect, eligible DPWH personnel can now undergo the certification process required to receive additional compensation for hazardous duties.
