MANILA — Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has authorized the release of PHP35,000 in grocery allowance for congressional staff.
During the flag-raising ceremony at the House of Representatives on Monday, Arroyo said the months of August and September are usually the financially constrained periods for employees of Congress with numerous loan applications during such period.
The PHP35,000 grocery allowance, which shall be released retroactively for the months of January to July, is on top of the PHP5,000 that the House staff already received in August.
“Somebody from Congress told me that August and September are, to use his words, “taghirap (financially challenging) months”. August and September ang daming applications for loan (There are a lot of loan applications for August and September),” Arroyo said.
“Then last August, with the hard work of Accounts Chairman Yedda Romualdez, you received a grocery allowance of PHP5,000. This month, with an even harder work of Congresswoman Yedda Romualdez, I have been able to authorized the release of PHP35,000,” she added.
Arroyo commended the House workforce for their sense of hard work, particularly stressing how well the congressional staff adjusted to the transition and the extra effort they have done to meet her expectations as Speaker.
“I have seen you work hard over the last eight years. Even during my period of hospital detention, you worked on my bills, you worked on my benefits, and even my room. Thank you for that. I’ve seen you worked very hard,” she said.
“In the last six weeks, I have seen you worked very, very hard. I’m impressed by how well you adjusted to the transition and the extra effort you make to meet the expectations of the Speaker. Thank you very much. Please keep up the good work,” she added.
She expressed hope for a productive year in the House under her watch, as she vowed to support the legislative agenda of President Rodrigo Duterte.
“Fortunately, we are not starting at zero, because the President’s legislative agenda has already been laid out. We just have to roll up our sleeves and get as much done as possible under my watch,” she said. (PNA)
