Public sector workers assured of pay hike

The country’s 1.5 million government workers including the military and police personnel are assured of a substantial increase in their salaries in the middle of this year as Congress approves a 10% public pay hike, the first wage increase in six years.

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) confirms that Malacanang has already set aside P10.3-Billion to implement the increase effective July 1 this year.

Albay congressman Joey Salceda who is also the chairman of the house committee on appropriations said, better state revenue allows the government to increase the pay of its workers and an increase in the subsistence and hazard pay of military, police, fire brigade workers and prison officers. “It’s payback time,” Salceda added.

Senator Franklin Drilon, chair of the Senate finance committee expressed confidence that majority of the senators will also approve a similar bill to help the government workers cope with the rising cost of living. The government raised cost-of-living allowances for some state employees last year and in 2005 but the last time the country's 1.2 million civil servants received a salary increase was in 2001.

“The amount of P10.3-Billion has already been provided in the 2007 budget under the un-programmed fund to allow for the immediate release of funds for the salary increase as soon as the law is approved,” revealed Senator Joker Arroyo. Arroyo added that the only kink that will be ironed out by congress is the manner by which the pay hike will be implemented. (PIA)