TRILLANES PUSHES FOR COST OF LIVING ALLOWANCE FOR GOV'T EMPLOYEES

Senator Antonio "Sonny" F. Trillanes IV has sponsored Senate Bill No. 286 or the bill providing for an additional allowance for all government employees, through the Cost of Living Allowance (COLA).

According to Trillanes, chairman of the Senate committee on Civil Service, Government Reorganization, and Professional Regulation: "This bill seeks to address the recent predicaments of our government employees brought by the recent upsurge in the inflation rate and the spiraling prices of gasoline and basic commodities."

"This additional allowance, to be called the Cost of Living Allowance (COLA), seeks to aid their living conditions and make it easier for them to meet the basic needs of their families for shelter, daily sustenance, education and medical attendance".

Under SBN 286, all civilian government employees and uniformed personnel, whether employed by national or local government agencies, whether occupying regular, contractual or casual positions shall receive an additional allowance of Php 5,000, to be given on a monthly basis. This shall be implemented across-the-board, on top of other existing mandatory allowances they are currently receiving.

"The recent adjustment in the salary of our government employees, through Executive Order No. 201, has been rendered insufficient due to the increasing cost of living. It is just right that we give them additional support and recognize their efforts in the government service by providing them additional financial assistance through this COLA," Trillanes further explained.