A SENATOR on Monday backed the P3,000 increase of a monthly allowance to relieve rising costs of living for eligible government employees.
Increasing the Personnel Economic Relief Allowance (PERA) to P5,000 per month will help government workers navigate, Senator Joseph Victor “JV” G. Ejercito said in a statement. The emergency subsidy has not been adjusted for over 15 years, he added.
Mr. Ejercito pushed for the passage of Senate Bill No. 2540, or the proposed PERA Adjustment Act, which institutionalizes PERA as a sustainable subsidy to protect public servants from economic shocks and reduces the need for legislative intervention.
Under the measure, there will be a mandated yearly adjustment equivalent to the Philippines’ annual inflation rate. All national, local government and uniformed personnel, whether appointed or elected will be covered by the amended PERA.
Government workers stationed abroad are excluded because they receive overseas allowances.
Mr. Ejercito said the proposed increase will also address financial concerns from teachers and government workers’ groups, including the Alliance of Concerned Teachers, the Alliance of Health Workers and COURAGE. — Francessca S. Abalos