Palace urges Congress to pass bill for salary hike of government workers

Malacañang urged Congress yesterday to act on the special budgetary bill for the long overdue salary increase of government workers.

"Uplifting the lives of average Filipinos is the President’s goal and the pay hike for government workers is part of it," Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said.

"We have all shared the burden of sacrifices and together we will harvest the fruits of our burdens through adequate food on the table, decent-paying jobs, better infrastructure and broader access to basic social services," he said.

President Arroyo submitted a special appropriations bill before Congress seeking a P13-billion compensation package for government workers to help them cope with rising prices.

The announcement came amid rumors of another power grab following the controversial escape of four Army officers who were among those who joined a short-lived mutiny against Mrs. Arroyo.

Mrs. Arroyo said this was her way of paying tribute to government workers for their loyalty and sacrifice.

The President expressed hopes the measure would be approved on Feb. 14 or Valentine’s Day.

"While Congress is still in the process of deliberating our budget, I have decided to submit as an urgent administration measure a special budgetary bill to immediately increase the compensation of government workers," Mrs. Arroyo said in a speech during the 60th founding anniversary celebration of the Liberal Party at Plaza Miranda in Quiapo, Manila.

She said the compensation package amounting to P13 billion would benefit more than a million government workers who "deserve the care and affection of the very government they serve."

"In the midst of hardship we are going through as a nation, especially with the rising oil prices and the continuous moves to grab power, you consistently show your heroism by working hard and with all faithfulness," Mrs. Arroyo said.

The President pointed out that P13 billion was needed for the government to finance the salary increase, which will be no less than P500 per month per employee.

The eight-percent increase will form part of the worker allowances, she said.

Budget Secretary Romulo Neri earlier said the measure "will

increase the take-home pay of both civilian and military personnel, allowances not being subject to tax."

Several senators have accused Malacañang of conniving with the House of Representatives to delay passage of the proposed 2006 national budget, putting in peril the government workers’ salary increase that was incorporated into the budget proposal.

Senators alleged the President might try to use the funds allotted for already completed projects to buy support for Charter change initiatives if the 2005 budget would be reenacted.

Malacañang denied the allegations, saying the moves for the immediate approval of the national budget bill should not be equated with the Charter change initiative.

Mrs. Arroyo said government workers "deserve to reap the gains of our economic reforms which include the tax reforms."

She also called on her colleagues in the Liberal Party during the Plaza Miranda rally last Thursday to push for the immediate passage of the measure before Feb. 14.

"Let us make the government workers happy on that day," Mrs. Arroyo said.

The President also expressed her gratitude for Liberal Party congressmen for supporting the reformed value-added tax law.

"Why do I have the guts to announce here in Plaza Miranda this urgent administration measure that we will submit? As they usually say, can you defend it in Plaza Miranda?" Mrs. Arroyo asked.

"Why can’t I defend a P13-billion compensation package here in Plaza Miranda? We can give this benefit because of our economic reforms, including the expanded value-added tax," the President said.