Pay City Workers Their Due

The ongoing dispute over unpaid salary increases for Iloilo City Hall employees has taken an unfortunate turn, with Mayor Jerry Treñas challenging a vocal employee to run for office rather than addressing the legitimate concerns raised.

This is not a political issue; it’s about fairness and fulfilling obligations to hardworking public servants.

For 21 months, permanent city employees have awaited salary increases mandated by the 2019 Salary Standardization Law. While the city claims insufficient funds, it’s worth noting that Iloilo has managed to secure loans for infrastructure projects. This raises questions about priorities in budget allocation.

The argument that funds were unavailable in 2023 to fully implement the SSL is understood, but it is the responsibility of the city government to prioritize its employees’ welfare. If City Hall could find the means to borrow money for infrastructure projects, surely it could also explore avenues to settle this overdue obligation to its workers.

It is disheartening that this issue has been painted with political color, with Mayor Jerry Treñas challenging an employee to run for office rather than addressing the underlying concerns.

Such a response only serves to heighten discontent among employees who have faithfully served the city, expecting their rightful compensation as mandated by law.

City Hall should focus on finding solutions, not turning this into a political spectacle. The approximately 2,000 affected employees aren’t asking for special treatment; they’re simply requesting what’s legally owed to them.

While amending the Local Government Code may be necessary for retroactive implementation, as the mayor suggests, this doesn’t preclude exploring other avenues to address the backlog. Creative budgeting and reprioritization could potentially free up the estimated 50 million pesos needed.

Iloilo’s leaders must remember that a motivated, fairly compensated workforce is crucial for efficient public service. Dismissing these concerns or framing them as political maneuvers will only breed discontent and undermine morale.

Mayor Treñas has a chance to demonstrate true leadership by addressing the salary deficit issue with transparency and fairness. Employees are not asking for special treatment but for what is legally theirs. By finding a viable solution and ensuring that the back pay is included in the 2025 budget, City Hall can avoid further unrest and demonstrate its commitment to the well-being of its workforce.

It’s time for City Hall to engage in good-faith negotiations with its employees. Find a way to honor these long-overdue salary increases without resorting to political grandstanding. Iloilo’s public servants — and the citizens they serve — deserve nothing less.