Members of the Provincial Alliance of Capitol Employees yesterday expressed disbelief over the statement of Vice Governor Genaro Alvarez Jr., who described their protest action as a “drama”.

The PACE, in a press statement, said it appears that Alvarez is not properly advised on the plight of Capitol employees, which simply shows he has no heart and sympathy for poor people, especially government workers.

“We are in disbelief hearing the statements coming from someone who wants to be governor of the province,” they said.

On Wednesday, Alvarez described the observance of a period of mourning by the Capitol employees and their recent boodle fight in protest against the Sangguniang Panlalawigan’s non passage of the province’s 2013 budget, as a “drama”, and accused the PACE of allowing themselves to be used for propaganda.

The PACE is calling for the passage of the 2013 budget by the SP so the Capitol employees can be paid their salary increases and P20,000 bonuses.

The members of the majority in the SP aligned with Alvarez have refused to approve the budget until allocations are specified, causing the budget to be sent back to the Sanggunian’s Committee on Finance for further review.

The strips of black cloth hung in front of the SP session hall Wednesday as a sign of mourning had been removed yesterday.

PACE president Ruben Diamante yesterday expressed his dismay over the removal of strips of black cloth, saying they represented their freedom of expression.

“The removal of black strips, whoever may be the culprit, blatantly disregarded the employees freedom of expression…Such act would mean curtailment of our rights and a semblance of an undemocratic and uncivilized society,” Renelo Lastierre, PACE secretary, said.

“Where is your heart? Where is your love for the labor sector?” the PACE asked Alvarez in their statement.

“We are only asking what is rightfully ours under the law. Nothing more,” Bobby Subong, a utility worker at the Capitol and a father of five, was quoted as saying in the PACE statement.

Alvarez assured Capitol employees that the budget will be approved.

The 90-day period for the SP to approve the P2.02 billion budget of the province will end this month, as prescribed by Section 323 of the Local Government Code of 1991.

Board Member Emilio Yulo III, SP Committee on Finance vice chairman, said “it does not in any manner prevent the SP from approving thereafter”, apparently referring to the 2013 budget.

The provincial government of Negros Occidental will operate on a reenacted budget this year if the budget is not approved in 90 days, or by end of this month, provisions of the Local Government Code state.

Board Member Salvador Escalante, chairperson of the SP Committee on Finance, admitted it is impossible to finish the committee hearings within this month, as they are thoroughly deliberating the budget to avoid its being returned again to the committee level.*GPB

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