Tony Basingan, head of Asin's 27-former Hydroelectric Development Corporation (HedCor) facility workforce, said: "The approval is a relief. My wearied co-workers were already on the verge of giving up because of hunger. At least now we could actually work without worrying about where to get money to feed our families."
"Aside from our families being able to taste pinikpikan after a very long time, our creditors may be able to sleep soundly knowing we could now be able to settle our debts," another Asin worker said.
In a City Council session, City Administrator and Asin Management Committee Technical Working Group head Peter Fianza appealed that "perhaps, we could release part of our commitment to our Asin employees."
"We have accounted for about P600,000 in salaries from Dec. 26, 2006 to Feb. 26, 2007, pending approval of the Asin budget in its entirety," he added.
The employees' salaries range from P10,000 to P15,000, excluding overtime pay and other benefits.
Fianza said HedCor already remitted about P4 million covering July 26 to Oct. 26, 2006, which accrued to the general fund. "We are happy to report that HedCor remitted the remaining P9 million in funds they hold in trust on top of another P4 million covering city shares from Oct. 26 to Dec. 26, 2006," he said.
Of the total amount, P9 million went to the recently approved Asin Trust Fund.
"Aside from paying the salaries of workers, the special fund is geared towards making necessary disbursements and purchases for the operation of facilities, considering that operations should be considered as a special project," Fianza said.
"If the city wishes to draw more power which can be translated into bigger earnings, we need the budget approved so we could invest on needed materials and facilities to improve and maximize the plants' power production," he added.
The City Council approved the whole P8.7-million proposed budget instead of the mere two-month salaries of employees initially being requested. (IL)
