Nueva Vizcaya generous with taxes for bonuses
BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya— The provincial government is spending close to P81 million for the year-end benefits of its officials and employees, according to two appropriation ordinances approved on Wednesday by the provincial board.
The ordinances, which were approved by Gov. Ruth Padilla also on Wednesday, earmarked P62.3 million worth of economic relief assistance (ERA) and P18.6 million in productivity enhancement incentive (PEI) for 1,660 officials and employees.
The year-end windfall came on the heels of a controversy over the government’s failure to reinstate at least 180 permanent employees who had been demoted and dismissed in July 2013.
The P80.6-million benefits are equivalent to the cost of building 14 kilometers of concrete farm-to-market roads, documents showed.
According to the ERA ordinance, P40,000 each will be given to 619 elective officials and permanent employees of the provincial government, 22 temporary employees and 290 casuals.
The ordinance justified the funds by citing inflation rate.
“The salary standardization law has already been enforced in full, yet the take-home pay of officials and employees could not cover the rise of prices of commodities and their basic needs,” the ordinance said.
“The [ERA] aims to provide relief in the form of aid to cushion the shrinking purchasing power of [salaries and wages of] officials and employees due to inflation, and shall not be construed as benefits, bonuses or incentives.”
Acting provincial treasurer Rhoda Moreno said officials and permanent employees should expect to get their ERA and PEI on Friday.
In addition, 701 contractual employees will get P35,000 each while 23 heads of national agencies and five consultants of the governor will receive P20,000 each.
Aside from the P40,000 ERA, elective officials and permanent employees and temporary and casual employees will receive an additional P20,000 each in PEI. This amount is four times bigger than what national government employees are getting.
The ordinance invoked a Department of Budget and Management circular. Melvin Gascon, Inquirer Northern Luzon
