VENCHITO Magalona, president of Progressive Alliance of Capitol Employees (PACE), said on Wednesday, September 5, that low earner Capitol employees are now affected of high prices of goods and the looming fare rate increase so they are joining the call for a salary increase.
Magalona said that from the present salary of P13, 000 per month, the ideal salary for the lowest earner government employee should now earn P30, 000 per month.
He said they are now coordinating with other national employees’ unions. They will also join petitions for a salary increase.
In a related development, Vice Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said that with the highest inflation rate which has reached 6.4 percent, the economic managers and even the President should start talking now about the economy.
"Everybody is waiting for an assurance that inflation can be controlled. Now it has already reached 6.4 for the month of August, so definitely we have a problem and really hope the economic managers can explain it," Lacson said.
He is also suggesting that the implementation of the excise tax on fuels on the second tranche should be postponed or put on hold because it might make matters worse if there will be another increase of excise tax effective January 2019.
While the demand for wage increase is already expected, but the question, he said, would that contribute to the rise of inflation.
"We really need the best minds. I hope the administration is up to it. They should really work hard to seek a solution because we don't know the patience of the people on how long they can bear it high prices," Lacson emphasized. (TDE)