By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso has moved to deliver a long-awaited boost to the pay of thousands of Manila city government workers, ordering the third tranche of their salary increase to take effect September 1.
The adjustment will cover all 9,364 permanent employees of the City Government of Manila and will raise salaries by at least 4 percent, creating an additional city government obligation of nearly P100 million.
Domagoso made the announcement Monday during the weekly flag-raising ceremony at Manila City Hall, telling employees that the scheduled increase would be implemented on time despite the city’s tight financial position.
“Kami ni Paul ay nag-uusap last week kasama ng inyong mga department heads and bureau heads. Gusto kong i-inform ang lahat ng ating empleyado na we are going to implement on time the third tranche, effective September 1,” the mayor said.
He acknowledged that the city is operating with limited financial room but credited disciplined spending for allowing the local government to continue meeting its obligations and sustaining its programs.
“Magtataka kayo, wala tayong halos talaga, hand-to-mouth, pero as I have said, God will always provide. Sa masinop, mainam, at epektibong paggasta, unti-unti natatawid natin ang pangangailangan ng siyudad. Natatawid natin ’yung mga programa ng siyudad,” Domagoso said.
With the September 1 implementation approaching, Domagoso directed city officials and employees to immediately set the administrative process in motion.
“Gumayak na kayo. Paikutin na ang papel nang maramdaman na sa September 1 ang umpisa ng lahat,” he said.
He then congratulated the entire workforce and said the proposed appropriation would be brought before the Manila City Council.
“So, congratulations to our 9,364 employees, and we will submit it to the City Council to appropriate such amount that is almost 100 million pesos increase in our obligation,” he said.
The mayor said the salary adjustment reflects the city government’s commitment to the employees who carry out its day-to-day operations and deliver services to Manila residents.
Domagoso urged the employees to remain effective in performing their duties, emphasizing that government programs ultimately depend on the people running them.
“Mga kapwa ko lingkod-bayan, congratulations! Keep it up, kailangan tayo ng tao,” he said.
“So I want you to be healthy, and I want you also to be effective, because we are together on a common goal, which is public service to our people in Manila,” he added.
The mayor also used the occasion to remind employees to remain cautious amid the continuing rainy weather.
He said Doxycycline is available at city clinics and health centers for employees who need the medicine as a precaution against leptospirosis.
“’Pag kailangan niyo ng Doxycycline, ’yun ’yung gamot, andiyan sa ating clinic or sa ating mga health center. Buong linggo yata umuulan, but stay safe,” Domagoso said.
The salary increase will cover all 9,364 permanent Manila city government employees, with the nearly P100-million additional obligation to be submitted to the City Council for the necessary appropriation.
For Manila’s permanent workforce, the target is now clear: the third tranche begins September 1.
ia/xf
