A city councilor is proposing a P1,000 quarterly rice allowance for regular employees of the city government.
Councilor Elgin Damasco, the author of the proposed ordinance, said the additional allowance will help improve the productivity of City Hall employees.
“Para mas maging produktibo sila sa paglilingkod bayan. Sa ngayon quarterly pa lang kasi dumi-depende tayo sa budget natin pero kapag natanggap natin ang dagdag IRA (internal revenue allotment) based doon sa Mandanas [ruling of SC] ay gagawa ulit tayo ng resolution. Maliban sa suweldo ay gusto din natin na bigyan sila ng rice allowance lalo na ang mga empleyado ng solid waste management, enforcers, at mga health workers,” he said.
Damasco said, however, that casual or job order employees cannot have the same benefits.
“Sino ba naman ang ayaw na maisama ang ating mga job order at casual? Pero magkakaroon kasi ng conflict sa batas natin kasi iba talaga kapag regular ka,” he said.
Damasco cited the minimum wage increase is expected to be implemented next year.
“‘Wag silang mag-alala kasi magiging P504 na ang kanilang sahod [kada araw].”
Damasco’s ‘proposal was referred to the committee on appropriations for discussion.