Capitol employees mourn budget impasse

A GROUP of Capitol employees tied black ribbons at the hallway of the Old Provincial Capitol Building Wednesday to lament the non-release of the last and fourth tranche of their salary increase and P20,000 additional bonus due to the ongoing budget impasse.

Ruben Diamanté, president of the Progressive Alliance of Capitol Employees (PACE), said on Wednesday that they will continue mourning until the budget is approved.

Diamante said PACE declared a period of mourning until they receive their salary increase because, despite their repeated appeals and begging for the approval of the budget, all their efforts fell on deaf ears and their voices remain unheard.

The Capitol employees said they are already dismayed over the failure of the Provincial Board (PB) to enact the budget where their salary increase and additional bonus lie.

Diamanté said they are appealing to Alvarez to use his moral authority to guide and persuade the members of the PB for the speedy action towards the approval of the budget.

Diamanté reacted on the statement of Alvarez that, as presiding officer, his role is just to break the tie if there are any when they make a vote and that the decision on the budget lie on the members of the PB.

Diamanté insisted that the Capitol employees are raising valid concerns on their salaries and bonus and that they were only caught in between the two warring political parties at the Capitol. (TDE)