The Sangguniang Panglungsod of Tagbilaran City has approved a supplemental budget of P42 million for the increase in the wages of casual employees effective July this year, and a productivity enhancement incentive (PEI)of P50,000 for each of the regular employees of city hall. For the officials of city hall, the front page news of the Bohol Sunday Post last week said they will receive as much as P100,000. We have no complaint about giving additional incentives to employees because that is in fact sanctioned by the national government with corresponding guidelines. What Tagbilaranons cannot accept is the amount that is quite too much for a small city that is facing big problems like dilapidated and potholed roads. While city hall officials and employees are laughing their way to the malls, the rest of the residents have to suffer body aches every time they leave their houses for work or whatever transaction they have within the city. Giving out a PEI of P50,000 when the guideline according to the Department of the Budget and Management (DBM) is only P5,000 is unjustifiable in themidst of the many problems that the city is facing. I would say it is unconscionable. Public funds have to be judiciously spent for the satisfaction of the people because it came from them. It should not unnecessarily line the pocket of employees in the form of PEI without clear standard of measure.

PEI as conceived is given over and above the regular year-end bonus and 13th month pay of government employees. It is a performance bonus for individual excellence and not to be applied as a general rule for every employee but this has been corrupted by Local Government Units (LGUs) for everyone to receive. Granting that the source of fund is legal because there is so much money savings from say, unfilled positions at City Hall, the amount budgeted for PEI is still morally not right because there are more urgent problems that need to be addressed like bad roads – a responsibility that should take precedence and priority over any other consideration by the city government.For government to save when there are urgent services that are needed is poor financial management. It is mismanagement to consider savings funds intended for projects that have not been implemented during the year. Half of the P42M could have gone a long way in alleviating the suffering of the residents from potholed roads. Half of the amount could have been added to the appropriation for road maintenance so that repairs will not only consist of patches of limestone (anapog) that last only until the next rain but asphalt overlays that do not need curing anymore after pouring. Let's hope we are not seeing a preview of how city hall will act on issues that affect the lives of the many in the future.Let's hope this is not a preview of “self first before others” in future decisions of city government officials. Or that would be the saddest day to wake up to sometime in 2014 and beyond.

Speaking of the coming year 2014, it will be a test of the mettle of Boholanos and their leaders. We start 2014 with so much hope for theeventual recovery of the Boholanos from the monster 7.2 magnitude quakethat reduced many institutional structures and houses into rubbles. Help is already here and many more are still coming. The problem is how fast we can bring ourselves up from our knees. So much depend upon our local leaders to keep the fire of unity and cooperation that we need to rebuild fallen structures and shaken psycho-social lives. Pres. Aquino has already recognized the leadership of Gov. Edgar M. Chatto when it comes to putting together a plan of action to respond to the effects of disaster and calamities. Let that plan be put into action this 2014. A lot of families still live in tent houses or bunkhouses almost three months after the earthquake. They must rebuild their houses, but how? The promise of assistance by government can't come near full rebuilding. They must look for other means to fully rebuild and recover which can be depressing to most of them. The success of 2014 will depend upon what lessons were learned and will be applied from the devastating and disastrous events of 2013. Knowing how the Boholanos take life seriously and with the grace of God, they will overcome.

HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR to all our readers.