Lawmakers slam DAR over delayed salary of gov’t employees

ACT Teachers Representative Antonio Tinio. PHOTO from congress.gov.ph

MANILA, Philippines — Militant lawmakers blasted the Aquino administration, on Sunday, for having billions of pesos for “hacienderos,” but no money for the salaries of  9,000 Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) employees.

But Agrarian Reform Secretary Virgilio de los Reyes has given his assurance that the funds for this month’s salary would be paid this week.

“Landlords were compensated by Malacañang using the DAP (Disbursement Acceleration Program) while benefits to DAR personnel, public school teachers and other government employees remain unpaid,” ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio said in a text message.

Tinio was referring to the P5.432 billion in DAP funds that went to landowners’ compensation under the agrarian reform program, including President Aquino’s relatives, the Cojuangcos, owners of Hacienda Luisita in Tarlac province.

Association president Antonia H. Pascual wrote Budget Secretary Florencio Abad on July 21 that the agency’s employees have not received their salaries for this month as the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has not issued a notice of cash allocation (NCA) to replenish the agency’s personnel services fund.

Kabataan Rep. Terry Ridon said: “While Palace allies are showered with presidential pork, lowly employees get measly and delayed salaries. This is a reflection of the disturbing nature in the government’s use of funds through the DAP and other schemes.”

In a text message, De los Reyes said the NCA had arrived and the funds would be released on Monday (July 28).

“The administration had problems with reports and deadlines but these have been addressed,” De los Reyes said.

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