Ormoc City: Job order workers get pay increase

CEBU, Philippines - Ormoc City Mayor Edward Codilla, during the flag ceremony at the City Hall, announced the P60 increase to the P200 daily wage of each job order worker of the city government, which means that each J.O. will be receiving a daily pay of P260.

"I have already instructed the proper office to prepare the necessary papers for the implementation of the increase, which will take effect this March," he told the workers.

Codilla, in a huddle with The Freeman later on, expressed his concern on the plight of J.O. workers, who together with other Ormocanons, have to toil harder than usual to fix their houses, buy food and educate their children in the aftermath of typhoon Yolanda.

"It's stressful for us to see unfixed houses but can't do much about it due to budgetary constraints. The increase (pay) may not be enough but it can help," Codilla said.

The J.O. workers, for their part, were happy of the mayor's announcement, saying this development was a huge boost to recovery from the typhoon devastation. "We need something as what the mayor offered without us asking for it. He is a kind person," a worker told The Freeman.

Meanwhile, the city government had started consulting farmers on the propagation of high value crops and vegetables, and animal dispersal to augment their income.  (FREEMAN)