Pagasa employees get benefits after 8 months

MANILA, Philippines - After an eight-month delay, employees of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) received yesterday their benefits provided under Republic Act 8439 or the Magna Carta for Science and Technology Workers.

Ramon Agustin, president of the Philippine Weathermen Employees Association (PWEA), said the benefits covered the hazard and longevity pay for January to June this year.

Last month, two PAGASA employees died without receiving the benefits, Agustin said, adding the release of Magna Carta benefits for the second half of 2013 is expected in December.

He said starting next year, the Magna Carta benefits would be included in the annual appropriation and would no longer be sourced from the agency’s savings under the Department of Science and Technology-Department of Budget and Management Circular.

“This will be the ultimate solution to the perennial problem of delayed benefits of PAGASA resulting in financial distress among the employees,” Agustin said.

Early this month, weather forecaster Ricky Fabregas resigned to work in the Congo.

Fabregas, who worked for PAGASA for 16 years, reportedly accepted the job with a salary five times higher than what he was receiving from the state weather bureau.