The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) lauded a move by the House of Representatives’ minority bloc to push for an increase in the agency’s proposed budget for 2020.
“We welcome all support for the agency including the proposal to increase MMDA’s budget particularly on salaries of JO (job order) personnel,” MMDA spokesperson Celine Pialago said.
“MMDA’s job order traffic enforcers earn only about P8,000 per month and have no other benefits.”
Pialago said the MMDA’s job order traffic enforcers earn only about P8,000 per month and have no other benefits like 13th month pay and coverage under the Government Service Insurance System.
House Minority leader and Manila Rep. Benny Abante recently said the MMDA’s proposed P11.72 billion budget for next year was slashed by P7.61 billion.
Abante said the budget cut would affect the P697 million meant for the salary increases of the MMDA’s employees, including its 3,000 traffic enforcers.
“The is a need to restore the budget cut to help the MMDA in dealing with monumental challenges.”
The legislator emphasized the need to restore the budget cut to help the MMDA in dealing with “monumental challenges” including traffic congestion and Metro Manila’s deteriorating situation.
Pialago thanked the lawmaker as well as House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, House committee on appropriations chair Isidro Ungab, House Deputy Speaker Boyet Gonzales II, House committee on Metro Manila Development chair Manuel Lopez, and Quezon City Rep. Alfred Vargas.