About 50 employees of the Negros Occidental provincial government staged a prayer vigil in front of the Capitol building in Bacolod City at noon yesterday to dramatize their call for the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to approve the 2013 budget, so they can be paid the fourth tranche of their salary increases.

Ruben Diamante, president of the Progressive Alliance of Capitol Employees, yesterday also presented a computation of how much more each provincial government employee could be receiving a month if the SP had approved the budget.

He also showed how much retiring employees stand to lose by the delay in the payment of their salary increases.

After the lighting of candles and a prayer, the employees ate boiled bananas that they dipped in brown sugar as the song “Magkaisa” played in the background.

The SP yesterday, however, did not act on the budget that is still under review before its Committee on Finance.

Diamante said they will continue their mass actions every Wednesday until their call for the passage of the budge is acted on.

He said they continue to appeal to Vice Governor Genaro Alvarez Jr. to act on their call.

Alvarez, who presides over the SP, said he respects the stand and sentiment of the Capitol employees.

“When I become governor,I will see to it that the last tranche of their salary increase will be given, with differential. No ifs,no buts,” said Alvarez, who is running for the post against Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr.

“Regarding the budget,as soon as the items in question will be clarifiedto the satisfaction of the majority of the Board members,I trust the 2013 budget will be approved.But as to when,I cannot say,” he also said.*CPG

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