REELECTED Rep. Rolando Andaya Jr. of Camarines Sur is batting for additional allowances for the police officers, instead of an increase in the wage of a rookie policeman to P50,000.
Andaya, a former Department of Budget and Management secretary and former House committee on appropriations chairman, said the Duterte administration may face a possible financial concern over the wage increase, if approved.
The government is already implementing the four-year salary increase for government officials and employees, he added.
Andaya, an ally of President-elect Rodrigo Duterte, said to give additional allowances is more viable than to increase the take-home pay of every police officer.
“We are just at the beginning of a four-tranche salary increase to end in 2019. The grant of more allowance is a wiser approach,” he said.
According to the Camarines Sur lawmaker, the Aquino administration has already started with the implementation of an executive order for wage increase to all government personnel, including men in uniform, this year.
“All options are being considered including raising the allowances, instead of salaries. Bottom line is increase in take-home pay,” he said.
On the other hand, Isabela Rep. Rodolfo Albano III reechoed Andaya’s stance, saying he would welcome a proposal to give additional allowances for the teachers, soldiers and several others.
“Not salary [increase], but take home pay and to include others soon,” he added.
Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, Duterte’s running mate in the last May 9 national elections, said the Duterte administration was considering a P5,000 minimum monthly wage for a police officer 1.
A PO1 receives P14,800 monthly salary, plus an allowance for a total of P22,000.
Cayetano said the increase would cost the government P70 billion for its first year of implementation, while P50 billion would go to the wage hike of all ranks and P20 billion to the retirement funds.