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‘No payless payday on Friday but…’
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Posted on Apr 24 2006
The administration assured government employees yesterday that they would receive their salary, although they might have to wait until Monday.
Press secretary Charles P. Reyes Jr. said that the Department of Finance was confident it would be able to raise enough revenues to meet the next payroll. But he also warned of a “worst-case scenario,” where paychecks would be released three days late.
“It was discussed in the Cabinet meeting this morning. The Finance secretary [Eloy Inos] said that, more than likely, we’ll be able to squeeze it through. But of course, some sacrifices will have to be made,” Reyes said.
He said the administration would delay payment to some businesses providing supplies and services to the government.
“The payroll has always been a priority. But we cannot continue doing this [to the vendors]. That’s why we still need the wage reduction. We are hopeful that the Legislature will continue to act on the wage cut bills,” he said.
Reyes said last week that the Finance Department had been scrambling for funds to pay government employees on Friday, April 28.
According to special assistant for budget and management Antonio Muna, the government’s gross payroll currently amounts to $6.3 million every 15 days.
