The Department of Environment and Natural Resources and Kalipunan ng mga Kawani ng Kagawaran ng Kalikasan have signed a new collective negotiation agreement providing for additional benefits to agency workers in the next three years.
Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu said he was honored the new DENR-K4 deal was signed under his term even as he vowed for “continued harmonious relationship between the union and the management.”
“This CNA is a recognition of the fact that the DENR’s strength relies on the unity and well-being of its workers,” he said.
Under the new CNA, DENR and K4 have agreed to extend mutual cooperation and assistance to each other “with the end in view of improving the welfare and well-being of the workers.”
These benefits included provision of hazard pay and accident insurance, establishment of a wellness program and formulation of a comprehensive health insurance.
Those covered by hazard pay and accident insurance are workers engaged in law enforcement activities against illegal logging, mining, and illegal trade and poaching of wildlife species, Cimatu said.
K4 has a total of 16 regional chapters nationwide, and is duly accredited by the Civil Service Commission.
The CNA was a product of a month-long negotiation.