Gov. Petilla assures 10% salary increase of capitol employees will be released

By Provincial Media Relations Center (PMRC-Leyte)
November 7, 2007

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte  –  Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla assures the 10% salary increase among the more or less 2,000 capitol employees will be released by the provincial government.

However, the date for the release as Gov. Petilla explained the more or less P18 million salary differential to cover the period from July to December 2007 is still being sourced out.

A whole year computation would cost the province about P40 million to effect the mandated increase.

According to Gov. Petilla the mandate for the salary adjustment came at a time when the budget for the whole year 2007 has already been laid out thus the increase was not among those included.

He further explained that the increase is being effected mandatorily but the national government has not spared any additional budget for it other than for the local government unit to source it out.

As per Executive Order signed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the 10% salary increase should take effect July 1, 2007.

The governor however assures the increase will be given as it is mandatory but considering the circumstances it may be released next year.

In an earlier report, members of the Provincial Association of Government Employees (PAGE) has voiced out their call for the release of their salary differential the soonest possible time saying it has long been due considering the increasing cost of living.