CLARK FREEPORT --- The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has underscored the contribution of government
workers to nation-building.
With this, CHR executive director Jaacqueline de Guia said ensuring the welfare and dignity of government
workers, especially in dire times, is vital to nation-building.
According to her, providing commensurate assistance to civil servants shall help provide economic relief that
will give them a higher sense of security.
De Guia said this is crucial to better performance of duty that can redound to more efficient public service.
CHR welcomed the proposed Senate Bill No. 60 of Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero which is expected to help
government employees cope with the rising cost of basic commodities due to inflation and oil price hike.
De Guia said it aims to increase the Personnel Economic Relief Allowance or PERA of some 1.8-million
government employees to PhP4,000 from PhP2,000.
The CHR chief claimed that SB 60 also seeks to be responsive to the annual inflation rate through equivalent
and automatic yearly adjustment.
"This will help ensure the financial needs of state workers amid inevitable economic changes as well as during
periods of volatility," she said.
Government workers are expected to be responsive to prioritize their public duties at all times, and to make
necessary sacrifices in the exigency of service, particularly during times of crisis and disaster, according
to de Guia.
The CHR official said augmenting government workers' income will help restore the purchasing power of their
salary so they can provide sufficiently for their family's needs.
CHR recognizes that the proposed measure endeavors to uphold the value and dignity of state workers through
concrete assistance.
De Guia said SB 60 is also a form of genuine recognition to the contribution and sacrifices of all government
employees during this critical period of recovery.
"CHR encourages the urgent passage of the proposed bill to ensure timely economic relief for all government
workers and their families," she added. RGN