Saturday, September 13, 2008 10% salary increase not yet released
DESPITE their pleadings to both the executive and the legislative branches of the Iloilo Provincial Government for the immediate release of their 10 percent salary increase, employees will have to wait longer.
A few days ago the employees of the province hoped they would be getting their 10 percent increase after the Provincial Board (PB), headed by Vice Governor Rolex Suplico, enacted an appropriation ordinance of P37 million for the said salary hike.
The PB, through the Committee on Appropriation chaired by Suplico, decided to pass such an ordinance after noticing the immediate need of the workers to get their salary increase. But then, Governor Niel Tupas Sr. declared that he will not implement the said ordinance on the basis that it was done in bad fate and in fact illegal.
Now, many of the employees are unsure on when they will get the salary hike they need to get.
To recall, Tupas said that although he will not veto the appropriation ordinance enacted by the PB, he will not have it implemented and instead wait for the decision of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) concerning the legality of the ordinance.
However, Tupas assured over a radio interview that DBM's review of the said ordinance won't take long and it's only a matter of time for the employees to get their salary hike.
According to the PB, Tupas only has five days to decide on whether to implement or veto the appropriation ordinance upon receipt of his office.
It is furthered that after the elapse of five days, the ordinance will be considered effective even if the governor refuses to implement it. (EC)
