Government workers seek P5,000 monthly allowance

MANILA, Philippines — Three groups of government workers are seeking to raise the personnel economic relief allowance or PERA to P5,000 per month from the current P2,000, saying the proposed P500 increase is insufficient to offset inflation.

Leaders of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT), Alliance of Health Workers and Confederation for Unity, Recognition and Advancement of Government Employees lobbied at the Senate on Thursday for a higher allowance that has remained unchanged since 2009.

ACT chairperson Ruby Bernardo said the proposed increase under the 2027 national budget was too small to make up for years of rising living costs.