Press Release
September 29, 2009

CHIZ WANTS EARLY RELEASE OF CHRISTMAS BONUS, PENSIONS

Opposition Sen. Chiz Escudero is knocking on Malacanang's door for an early release of the 13th month pay for government employees and pensioners to help the affected families of Typhoon Ondoy.

Total year-end bonuses including SSS and GSIS pensioners of civilian government personnel this year was slated to reach P17.1 Billion while military servicemen and women were allocated with P4.9 Billion. To date, about P11 Billion has not yet been released in bonuses in preparation for the holiday season.

"The practical thing to do at the moment is for the employee to receive an early Christmas gift for the government. Even if Luzon was the hardest-struck areas, government civil servants and the military from different parts of the country will be able to provide financial assistance and improve the horrid conditions being experienced by their relatives in the different provinces and cities," he said.

He said that if these funds were meant to reward the employees for their outstanding performances, then there is no better way than giving it to them at their most desperate hour of need. "What is there to celebrate the Christmas season for if they don't have a roof over their heads?" he asked.

Government data shows that P8.5 billion can still be released from civilian employees and around P2.45 billion from military personnel. He said that even half of these amounts would help the affected families by giving them money to buy extra food or clothes.

"A simple P5, 000 bonus for a public school teacher who lost her home from the floods would go a long way," he said adding that release of the 13th month pay now is the best step in giving the victims a ledge to stand on to survive."

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