Business · Philippines Bureau
Lawmaker slams P500 pay rise for state workers as inadequate
An opposition congressman has criticized the government's decision to grant state employees a P500 monthly allowance increase, calling it insufficient given the long delay and current economic pressures.
LSN Philippines ·
MANILA — Deputy Minority Leader Antonio Tinio has denounced the P500 monthly raise in the Personnel Economic Relief Allowance (Pera) for civil servants, arguing the adjustment falls short of workers' needs after a prolonged 17-year negotiation stalemate.
The ACT Teachers representative characterized the proposed increase as "woefully inadequate," particularly given escalating costs of basic commodities affecting Filipino households. Tinio raised concerns that the modest hike does not meaningfully address the economic hardships faced by government employees whose purchasing power has been eroded by inflation over the extended period without adjustment.
Tinio called for a comprehensive budget realignment, suggesting that the government should prioritize more substantial wage relief for state workers rather than proceeding with the currently proposed P500 increase. The lawmaker's position reflects growing pressure from labor groups and opposition figures demanding better compensation packages for the public sector workforce.
The issue underscores ongoing tensions between the administration and legislative opposition regarding government employee benefits and the adequacy of support extended to civil servants amid rising living costs across the Philippines.