Capitol workers direct wage hike plea to DBM Secretary
Capitol workers concerned on the realization of salary increase now seek intervention of no less than the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).
"Please intervene and act expeditiously," came the appeal of the group addressed to DBM Secretary Rolando Andaya Jr.
Said salary adjustments, the employees maintained, are "for the deserved welfare of the Iloilo Provincial Government employees."
"…we are now praying with confidence that you will hand down a decision that is nurtured by Divine Wisdom and that is to grant the 10% salary increase of the local government employees who are the backbone, which carry most of the burden that this government is carrying," excerpts of the appeal went. "To prolong such granting is to prolong the weight of the economic crisis which our very own President Gloria Macapagal- Arroyo has acknowledged by her issuance of Executive Order 719."
The group saw the need to direct the appeal to Secretary Andaya as the President's "alter-ego in budget matters."
"…we know that you can empathize with our predicament and would not want to see us suffer in the name of nationhood and holistic development that all of us have long desired," the Capitol workers continued. "We can almost say that our future is now in your hands, beloved Secretary!"
Over P37.9 million in appropriation was approved on September 9 by majority of the 9th Iloilo Sanggunian Panlalawigan (SP).
The amount is set for the much-awaited ten percent salary increase to over 2,000 workers of the Iloilo Provincial Government. The said compensation adjustment was based on Executive Order No. 719 of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Such became the primary reason for the objection of two board members and the abstention of another.
The objection came from Fourth District Board Member Shalene Hidalgo and Second District Board Member June Mondejar. Both are known to be allies of the governor in the SP body. While it was Second District Board Member Rodolfo Cabado who chose to abstain with the trio explaining thereafter the reasons.
Despite the legislative approval provincial employees wrote an open letter to Governor Niel Tupas Sr. asking him not to veto the budget appropriation.
"We, the Iloilo Provincial Government Employees, once again and for one and the same reason collectively bind ourselves and set our hands for the common good, asking the duly authorized Chief Executive of the Province of Iloilo in the person of Honorable Governor Niel D. Tupas Sr. not to VETO the recently approved Appropriation Ordinance No. 2008-02 of the Sanggunian Panlalawigan ng Iloilo so that we can avail of our 10% Salary Adjustments in the soonest possible time," the appeal began. "We understand that both the Executive and Legislative Departments of this Provincial Government are doing their part to give this long-awaited 10% salary increase and other benefits to the Iloilo Provincial Government Employees and each of the said Departments had already done their shares."
To note, the budget issue in the Capitol has since fueled the opposing politics of Governor Tupas and nephew, Vice Governor Rolex Suplico.
"We do not preempt your decision whether or not to Veto the said Appropriations Ordinance because we indeed never know what really is in your mind," the appeal continued. "All we pray is for you to realize that this will be a crucial decision in your part and our claims lies in your very hands."