City Hall denies request to increase allowance

CEBU, Philippines - Five court social workers failed to get a raise of their allowance from the Cebu City Hall this year.

The five court social workers asked Mayor Michael Rama to double their monthly allowance, but it is not possible this year due to lack of budget.

The court social workers receive P2,500 monthly allowance from City Hall since 2010. Rama granted their request to receive allowance from the city like the prosecutors and judges.

The mayor granted them allowance for their help in dispensing of justice especially in case involving minors.

Court social workers particularly “visit to all barangays in Cebu City, to parties and wards, contact possible informants regarding juveniles in conflict with the law, prepare case study reports based on interviews and home visits, provide individual and group counseling service and other family-court related cases referred by the Family Courts,” according to Councilor Edgardo Labella.

Last year, they requested for an increase of 100 percent of their current allowance, but the request came after the 2013 budget has already drafted.

Cebu City Administrator Jose Marie Poblete said the request was already late for inclusion in the annual budget. They wanted to receive P5,000 monthly from city hall.

Their allowance for January to December 2013 will be charged this year to the Peace and Order Program budget. The city allocates P150,000 for the yearly allowance of these five court social workers since 2010.

The city government also has started to emphasize that allowances, given as a privilege by the city government to eligible government workers like judges, prosecutors, police, among others, shall be revocable anytime if circumstances warrant.

Local Government Units are allowed to grant allowance depending on the availability of the budget.

Section 447 of the Local Government Code, on power, duties, functions and compensation, states that “When the finances of the (municipal) government allow, provide for additional allowances and other benefits to judges, prosecutors, public elementary and high school teachers and other national government officials stationed in or assigned to the (municipality).”  (FREEMAN)