Revilla to DBM: Find funds for gov't salary increase

The Senate Committee on Civil Service, Government Reorganization and Professional Regulation on Tuesday explored all possibilities of implementing salary increase for government workers, especially rank and file employees who are in "financial trouble."

Led by Committee Chairman Sen. Bong Revilla, the public hearing focused on Salary Standardization Law V, Salary Increase and Granting of Additional Benefits for Teachers.

In his opening statement, Revilla said that he is aware of the urgent need to implement a viable and fair salary increase for all government employees to help augment their source of income and provide a decent living for their families.

He ordered representatives of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to find funds to implement the said increase.

He also emphasized that the "green light" for the salary increase was given by no less than Pres. Rodrigo Duterte during his 4th State of the Nation Address last July 22.

During the hearing, invited panellists hailing from Civil Service Commission (CSC), Department of Budget and Management (DBM), as well as various government and labor sectors and groups, raised their personal concerns surrounding the implementation of salary increase for gov't workers.

It was revealed that some government employees are forced to pawn their ATM cards as collateral for loans. Other employees even face the trouble of being arrested because of their failure to pay their loans on time.

Bong Revilla stressed the importance of the salary increase for gov't workers so that they will no longer fall prey into loan sharks and other lenders who would pressure them if they fail to follow their payment schedule.

He also asked all concerned parties to submit their position paper, and confirmed that he will create a technical working committee to scrutinize the matter.