“While the town’s budget remains unapproved, some contractual and some job order employees now work as tricycle drivers to provide for the basic needs of their families,” said an employee from the office of outgoing Mayor Miguel Rivilla who is running as independent candidate for Tarlac vice governor.
Rivilla, a second cousin of Pres. Aquino, has been known to be at odds with leaders of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), a party founded by business tycoon Tarlaqueno Eduar do “Danding” Cojuangco . As independent vice gubernatorial candidate, Rivilla is running against two NPC candidates Tootsie Cruz and Vernon Villanueva and another independent candidate Jay Castro.
The source, who asked not to be named for fear of political repercussions, said that the disgruntled employees aired their grievances over the unapproved budget and its negative effects in a tarpaulin hung across the town hall last month, but no action on their grievances has been done as of yesterday.
The proposed budget for 2016 was transmitted by Rivilla to the municipal council or sangguniang bayan on Oct. 15, 2015 for approval, but some council members identified with the NPC have refused to act on it.
“These council members have been delaying the approval of the budget because of their unfounded fears that the camp of Rivilla might use it for campaigning purposes,” said the source.
A year ago, Paniqui was thrown into political chaos after a defeated mayoral candidate of the NPC in the 2010 polls got a court order installing him as the mayor of Paniqui. A Supreme Court order, however, later reinstalled Rivilla who is now on his third and last term as mayor.
“The lack of budget for 2016 because of the delays has resulted in lack of financial assistance to poor individuals and families, no PhilHealth enrollment for indigents, limited supply or lack of medicines at the health centers and hospital, intermittent collection of garbage and no wages for its job order and contractual employees,” said the source.
