13th-month pay ready for distribution

MORE than a million state workers may now receive the remaining half of their 13th-month pay following the government’s release of P11 billion for those affected by tropical storm Ondoy, an official said yesterday.

“We’ll start giving away the 13th-month pay. You only have to inform your respective offices,’’ Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya Jr. said.

But he said workers who might feel they didn’t need the money yet may opt to get the balance in November, when it’s usually paid.

Half of state employees’ annual 13th-month pay is traditionally released in May, and the balance in November.

President Gloria Arroyo on Tuesday ordered the balance of state employees’ 13th-month pay released quickly following the destruction wreaked by Ondoy, which killed 246 people, hurt scores and marooned thousands more.

The release of the money means those getting it now have nothing more to look forward to at Christmas—unless Mrs. Arroyo releases the traditional P5,000 cash gift.

The state-run Home Development Mutual Fund or Pag-IBIG Fund has also started accepting applications for calamity loans, allocating an initial P3 billion to members affected by the storm.

Meanwhile, the Social Security System yesterday said it had released P100 million to help flood victims.

SSS president Romulo Neri said P60 million of the total would go to the Social Welfare Department, P30 million to the Office of the President, and the balance to worker and employer groups. –Joyce Pangco Pañares and Roderick T. dela Cruz