Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. PDI/JOAN BONDOC
As the months of August and September are supposedly financially difficult for people working for the House of Representatives, Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has vowed to provide P35,000 worth of grocery allowance for the employees.
Arroyo said during the House’s flag raising ceremony on Monday that someone has relayed that loan applications mount up by this time of the year.
“Somebody from Congress told me that August and September are, to use his words, ‘taghirap months’ kasi raw walang extra na natatanggap. Kaya kapag August and September, ang daming applications for loans,” she told House employees.
“Well, last August, with the hard work of Accounts Committee chairman Yedda Romualdez, you received a grocery allowance of P5,000. This month, with the even harder work of Cong. Yedda Romualdez, I have been able to authorize the release of P35,000,” Arroyo added.
The former president, known for being a strict leader, thanked the House staff after saying that she has seen their efforts, especially when she was not able to appear in office physically.
“I have seen you work hard. During my period of hospital detention, you worked on my bills, you worked on my benefits, you took care of my room. And of course, I thank you for that,” she noted.
“I have seen you worked very, very hard. I’m impressed by how well you adjusted to the transition and the extra effort you make the meet the expectations of the Speaker. Thank you very much. Please keep up the good work,” she said.
Legacy
In return, Arroyo asked employees to work hard to attain the legislative agenda of the administration.
“Let me describe my leadership and management style as Speaker of the House. It is similar to when I was president. The keywords are hard work, selectively hands-on, and you’ve seen that with regard to the priority legislative agenda of the President,” she explained.
“Strict, but hopefully, fair and open-minded,” Arroyo said.
Arroyo, who is in her third-term as representative of Pampanga’s second district, has said that she will retire after 2019. However, she clarifies that it is not a legacy as House Speaker that she is looking for.
“My concern is not on my legacy as the Speaker. My concern is to support President Duterte’s legacy in the year that I am as Speaker,” Arroyo claimed. /je
READ: Arroyo: I’m retiring. No plan to run for anything in 2019