Lobregat bares allowance hike for health workers, nutrition scholars
As if the increase in allowances for barangay tanods and funding allocation for barangay projects is not enough, Mayor Celso Lobregat the other day bared more good news for the barangay sector.
“Starting January 2010, the allowances for barangay health workers and barangay nutrition scholars will be increased from P800 to P1,000,” the mayor announced to the glee of barangay officials from the city proper and Ayala and Labuan districts attending the barangay fiscal administration forum Friday.
The forum, held at the Patio Palmeras, was the last of a series for officials from the different barangays in the city, in line with the ongoing hearings for the 2010 Executive Budget of the City.
Lobregat said the increase in allowances for barangay health workers and nutrition scholars including the barangay tanods and the allocation for barangay projects are brought about by three factors: sound fiscal management, increase in the collection of taxes and the relentless fight against the illegal conversion of cities.
The city, based on records from the City Social Welfare and Development Office, has a total of 174 barangay health workers and over 90 barangay nutrition scholars, who are now under the City Health Office.
With the number of health and nutrition volunteers at present, the city is expected to spend over P3 million for their allowances starting next year.
During the first three years of his administration, Lobregat has focused on fixing the city’s financial record. At present, the city and its residents are now bearing the fruits of the financial reforms that Lobregat instituted.
During the first budget forum for barangays covering the Culianan and Manicahan districts, the mayor announced the increase in the allocation of multi-purpose pavements (MPP) from P150,000 at present to P250,000 starting 2010.
In Curuan, he also announced the increase in the allowances for members of the Barangay Intelligence Network (BINs) from P700 to P1,000 a month starting January.
Earlier on, the mayor also revealed that the city government is capable and ready to implement the salary standardization law based on guidelines set by the national government effective next year.
The city government is below the 45% budget limitation for personnel services, thus, it can very well implement the salary increase for the almost 3,000 city government employees starting January. (Sheila Covarrubias)