Release that
allowance at once

Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.

NINFA R. LEONARDIA Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ Editor GUILLERMO TEJIDA III Desk Editor NANETTE L. GUADALQUIVER Busines Editor ERIC T. LORETIZO Sports Editor (On Leave) RENE GENOVE Bureau Chief, Dumaguete MAJA P. DELY Advertising Coordinator

CARLOS ANTONIO L. LEONARDIA Administrative Officer

It was the President herself who first announced it: All government workers are to granted an addition allowance of no less than P1,000 each. This was supposed to be more acceptable than an earlier proposal that the increase in pay would be pegged at eight percent of the current salaries of both officials and employees. Eight percent would be a minuscule amount for minimum wage earners, but it would be quite a bundle for those whose pay rates are already in the upper brackets.

Many expressed doubts as to whether the government could afford such increase for allowances, even congressmen aired such sentiments. But, as expected, since the president has so declared, the lower house soon announced their approval of such allowance.

Lately, despite their protestations about its practicability, the Senate also approved the granting of an added allowance. And so government workers breathed easier, believing the added pesos would already be, literally, in the bag.

But why is the National Treasurer not so upbeat about the matter? In their approval, both houses had specified that the funds for the allowances would be released after the National Treasurer has certified that funds are available. But, as already predicted by those who were slammed earlier as killjoys, the National Treasurer himself has disclosed that indeed, no such funds are available now. But, he also quickly added, money is expected to come in, as it does regularly. Let us hope that this will not be another case of giving the poor workers false hopes. Granted, the intention to aid them may be there, but, why didn't our officials first make sure that the promise could be fulfilled, before announcing it? If the funds do not come in soon, this will be another cruel disappointment that our working people do not deserve, and may not forgive.*