Palace lukewarm to Bello proposal on workers’ aid

Malacañang expressed reservation over Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III’s proposal to provide a P200 monthly financial aid to minimum wage earners for three years to help the workers cope with rising inflation.

“It has to be discussed and examined,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a press briefing on Thursday.

Bello earlier said he had recommended to President Duterte the grant of financial aid of P2,400 a year, or P200 a month, for three years to minimum wage earners.

“If we will give this benefit, where will we get the P200? Taxes might go up,” Roque said.— JULIE M. AURELIO