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Kidapawan City (5 July) — Among City Mayor Rodolfo Gantuangco’s first order of business in his new second term is to assure that the increase of salaries and wages of more than 700 employees of the City Government is implemented.

The mayor abides to the memorandum from the Department of Budget and Management which mandates all government line agencies and local government units to a 10% across the board salary increase for all of its employees.

Gantuangco reiterates in a special meeting what he first announced during his first day of his term that he wants salary increase take effect this July. He will meet the Finance Committee of the Sangguniang Panlungsod this week to prepare a supplemental budget necessary to implement the DBM mandate. The Mayor said that the LGU needs at least P3.5 Million for its implementation, covering only salaries and wages, excluding bonus.

The announcement was warmly applauded by the city government employees. Gantuangco challenged them to make initiatives and improvements for best services be rendered to the clientele. He noted that they are the highest paid LGU employees in the Province of Cotabato.

Meanwhile, Mayor Gantuangco is also keen on renewing the appointments of the City Government’s Job Order Workers. He already assured all the JO’s that his administration is doing all the best it can on their re-appointment despite the meager budget intended for their monthly pay.

He will also ask the SP’s Finance Committee to come up with a solution to determine the needed budget for JO’s re-appointments.

Most Job Order Workers are encouraged to avail the Fly Now Pay Later overseas employment program of the city government to benefit their families.

Despite the impending effects of next year’s lesser Internal Revenue Allotment due to the conversion of 12 municipalities into new component cities, Mayor Gantuangco is determined to minimize its possible results in the daily operations of the City Government. About P38 million will be sliced from the IRA share of the City Government.

Increased salaries of employees as agreed will be implemented and benefits will be timely given to them. The allocation for employees’ salaries and wages will be prioritized by the city government even if IRA cut takes effect next year.

-Psalmer Bernalte, PIA Daily News Reader