Higher per diem for gov't workers sought

MANILA - The House of Representatives has passed a resolution urging President Rodrigo Duterte to issue an executive order increasing the per diem, or daily local travel allowance, of government staff on official business.

The resolution, authored by ABS Party-list Rep. Eugene de Vera, sets the daily allowance at P2,000, or P1,200 more than the current allowance of P800.

The amount is broken down as follows: P1,000 for lodging, P600 for meals and P400 for incidental expenses.

De Vera explained in the resolution that the current amount, pursuant to Executive Order 298 signed in 2004, is inadequate and no longer attuned to the times.

"The amount for travel expenses specified in EO 298 was based upon the prevailing market prices during the time it was crafted, and thus, does not truly reflect the current fiscal situation of the country," the resolution stated.

“Prices since 2004 have changed, and the real value of the amount of travel expenses worth eight hundred pesos, eleven years ago, is not the same as it is today,” it added.

Authors of the resolution, among others, include: House committee on appropriations chairman and Davao City 1st District Rep. Karlo Alexei Nograles, Zamboanga 1st District Rep. Celso Lobregat, Zamboanga Del Norte 3rd district Rep. Isagani Amatong, Pampanga 2nd District Rep. Gloria MacapagalArroyo, and North Cotabato Representatives Jesus Sacdalan and Jose Tejada. (Keith Calayag / SunStar Philippines)