The disapproval of the proposed P2.02 billion Negros Occidental budget for 2013, could mean that more than 2,400 Capitol employees will not receive their 25 percent salary increases next year, and their remaining P20,000 bonus, Board Member Salvador Escalante said yesterday.

This is because the budget for the last tranche of salary increases and their performance cash incentives had been included in the 2013 budget, Escalante, chairperson of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Committee on Finance and Appropriations, said.

Capitol employees, who were holding their Christmas party in front of the Provincial Capitol Building, while the Sangguniang Panlalawigan was deliberating on the proposed 2013 budget, expressed dismay upon learning about the decision of the SP.

Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. announced to them that the budget for next year has been disapproved by the SP. This was met by a defeaning silence, a casual employee said.

Each Capitol employee was supposed to receive P55,000 as announced by Marañon earlier. They have already received an initial P35,000.

Escalante, however, said “Maybe the governor can look for sources of funds from the current year”.*GPB

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