Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc inspects the donation of the Chinese Consulate in Laoag City. (Alaric Yanos)
Laoag City—The Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN), through the initiative of Governor Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc allocated PHP19.5 million for the procurement of medical oxygen machines and for the construction of a warehouse.
The allocated amount for medical oxygen is among the listed projects in the Supplemental Budget No. 1 of the province, which the Sangguniang Panlalawigan passed and approved by Mr. Manotoc
The provincial board sourced the funds from the unappropriated surplus budget from the previous year.
“The Provincial Government allocated PHP18 Million for the medical oxygen machines and PHP1.5 Million for the medical oxygen warehouse. With these, we will be able to produce our own medical oxygen. Our governor is hopeful that through this initiative, we could soon provide medical oxygen to government hospitals and even to district hospitals and medical centers. We are really hopeful that there will be no scarcity of supply in the province,” Rhona Ysabel B. Daoang, Communications and Media Office officer-in-charge shared.
The Provincial Government continues to affirm its commitment in investing in the health of its people; providing them accessible healthcare services, through its “Sapasap a salun-at” goal.
Prov’l Capitol employees’ salary hike
The supplemental budget also allocated PHP18 million for the increase of provincial government employees.
The salary increase is based on the Salary Standardization Law V, signed by President Rodrigo R, Duterte, modifying the salary schedule for civilian government personnel and authorizing the grant of additional benefits, and for other purposes.
The provincial government is set to distribute the allocated budget for all permanent and casual employees, along with the gratuity pay for Job Order employees, within this year.
In a press conference on April 14, 2020, however, Mr. Manotoc said the salary increase is not a priority at the moment.
“I’m not sure yet. Right now, hindi priority‘yan. Kasi siyempre and focus natin ngayon is mostly COVID-oriented kaya hindi muna priority ‘yan. But we gave salaries in advance to all [provincial government] employees, including job orders. We are taking care of all of our staff, whatever their employment status is,” Mr. Manotoc noted during the press conference, which The Ilocos Times Facebook page livestreamed. (Stewart C. Ocampo)