Philippine Weathermen Employees Association head Ramon Agustin said the Budget Department had released the funds and the benefits were received Tuesday noon, radio dzBB reported Tuesday night.
The benefits the PAGASA personnel received included longevity and hazard pay from January to June. The weathermen had been waiting for their benefits since January.
Agustin thanked their supporters and hoped there would be no repeat of a delay.
A report from the state-run Philippines News Agency quoted Agustin as saying the benefits range from P20,000 to P100,000, depending on their salary grades.
He said a forecaster can receive at least P60,000 in perks for six months.
Earlier this month, PAGASA lost another weather specialist Ricky Fabregas, reportedly after he failed to get his long-overdue benefits.
A report by dzBB’s Allan Gatus said Fabregas left for the Congo to take a lower-ranking but higher-paying job.
The salary in Congo was about five times Fabregas’ salary in PAGASA – nearly P100,000 a month at his new job compared to his P20,000 monthly pay at PAGASA. — DVM, GMA News
