Capitol workers pray for release of wage hike

PROVINCIAL Capitol employees are hoping for divine intervention as they held a prayer vigil and boodle fight at the Capitol grounds on Wednesday for the release of the fourth tranche of their salary increase.

The prayer vigil and boodle fight, which was held for the second time already, were done before the regular session of the Provincial Board (PB) on Wednesday.

About 50 Capitol employees ate boiled bananas, kamoteng kahoy (cassava) with sugar and salt for their boodle fight. They lit candles before the boodle fight was held at the Capitol grounds from 12 noon to 1 p.m.

BACOLOD. After a candle-lighting activity, about 50 Capitol employees hold a boodle fight with boiled banana and cassava at the Capitol grounds on Wednesday to dramatize their request for the release of the fourth tranche of their salary hike and their P20,000 bonus. (Teresa D. Ellera)

Ruben Diamanté, president of the Progressive Alliance of Capitol Employees (Pace), said they will continue with the same activities in the coming weeks until the PB approves the 2013 provincial budget that would include their additional bonus at P20,000 per employee and the fourth tranche of their salary increase.

The 2013 provincial budget is still being deliberated by the PB committee on finance. Board Member Salvador Escalante even said that he has doubts on the passage of the budget within the 90 days period.

Meanwhile, Vice Governor Genaro Alvarez assured that he will give the fourth tranche of the salary increase of the employees when he wins as governor of the province in the May elections.

"I respect their stand and sentiment. When I become governor, I will see to it that the last tranche of their salary increase will be given, with differential. No ifs, no buts. Regarding the budget, as soon as the items in question will be clarified to the satisfaction of the majority of the Board Members, I trust the 2013 budget will be approved. But as to when, I cannot say," Alvarez said. (TDE)