PGT-CAREs 2023-2026

A Call for Fair Compensation and Timely Action
By: Jojo S. Pascual, President Provincial Government of Tarlac-Core
Association of Responsible Employees (PGT-CAREs).

As President of the Union of the Provincial Government of Tarlac, it brings me no joy to express my deep concern and disappointment over a matter that affects not only the livelihoods of many hardworking public servants but also the trust between government employees and the institutions they serve.

In August 2024, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. announced a much-awaited salary increase for government workers (Executive Order No. 64). This was a step toward addressing the long-standing issue of fair compensation in the public sector, a move welcomed by countless employees nationwide, particularly in the province of Tarlac, who have long served with dedication and loyalty despite financial constraints. However, it is with great sadness that I must acknowledge that, as of this writing, the City Government of Tarlac has yet to implement this salary increase.

As a fellow worker in government, I understand the sacrifices that come with serving the public. Many of us chose this path out of a deep sense of duty to our country, knowing full well that the rewards are often intangible—found not in high paychecks, but in the satisfaction of contributing to the greater good. Yet, the reality remains that we, too, have families to feed, bills to pay, and aspirations for a better life. The delayed implementation of the salary increase is not just an administrative oversight; it is a missed opportunity to uplift the lives of those who have given so much to our community.

It is disheartening to witness this delay, knowing that neighboring local governments have already taken steps to comply with the President's directive. The City Government of Tarlac must recognize the urgency of this matter. Every day that the salary increase is delayed is a day that the financial burdens of city government employees grow heavier.

We are all part of the same government machinery, striving toward a shared goal of progress for our province. And yet, this delay creates a sense of division and neglect, where the welfare of public servants in one part of our government is seemingly less prioritized than others.

I call on the leaders of the City Government of Tarlac to act swiftly and ensure that the salary increase is implemented without further delay. Let us not lose sight of the fact that the strength of our government lies in its people. When we fail to properly compensate those who dedicate their lives to public service, we risk undermining the very foundation upon which our governance is built.

To my fellow workers in the City Government, I stand with you in solidarity. Your hard work and dedication should be recognized and rewarded fairly, and I will continue to advocate for your rightful compensation. Let us hope that our collective voices will bring about the necessary changes and restore the trust we have placed in the leadership that is meant to serve us all.

It is time for action, not just promises.

𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐂𝐋𝐀𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐍𝐎. 𝟏𝟗𝟗, 𝐬. 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑
Signed on 03 April 2023

𝐃𝐄𝐂𝐋𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐅𝐑𝐈𝐃𝐀𝐘, 𝟐𝟏 𝐀𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐋 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑, 𝐀 𝐒𝐏𝐄𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐋 (𝐍𝐎𝐍-𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆) 𝐃𝐀𝐘 𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐋𝐀𝐂

Visit the Official Gazette website: https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2023/04/03/proclamation-no-199-s-2023/