Tupas points to SP for release of Capitol workers’ back COLA
As far as Iloilo Governor Niel Tupas, Sr. is concerned, he did everything he could for the release of the back COLA (Cost of Living Allowance) of Provincial Capitol employees.
Tupas said that he could not be faulted why the back COLA and the proposed salary increased still hang.
“Ang akon obligasyon natuman ko na. Indi ako makapasaka sang sweldo without the approval of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan,” the governor said over ABS-CBN Iloilo.
However, the governor said that the Sangguniang Panlalawigan is yet to approve the annual budget for year 2010.
“Ti, indi mapasakaan ang ila sweldo. In fact, dako ang saka, mga 25%, basta maaprubahan ang amon annual budget,” Tupas said.
Last Monday, Capitol employees went on protest. They wore black armbands and posted streamers urging for the release of their back COLA among others.
It was gathered that the COLA to be released was traced from 1989 to May 2004.
“Indi ako makahatag sina sa ila kung insi anay maaprubahan ang annual budget kay kung maaprubahan ang budget, pwede na ako makadala sang supplemental budget regarding their back COLA,” he added.
When asked if he could talk things over with SP members, Tupas expressed some doubts citing that majority of SP members are against him.
“Once the budget is approved, they deemed that it will be for my benefit,” the governor stated.
However, Tupas stressed that his detractors are all wrong.
“I am not the enemy here. I was only after the welfare of the 2,500 Capitol employees and nothing else,” he said.
