House staff to receive P35k 'grocery allowance' under Arroyo

Congressional staff at the House of Representatives will each retroactively receive a P35,000-worth of "grocery allowance" this year.

Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo herself made the announcement on Monday morning as she attended the flag-raising ceremony of the Lower House.

In her speech, Arroyo pointed out that August and September are usually the "taghirap" months at the House of Representatives, when applications for loans have increased.

"Last August, with the hard work of Accounts Committee chairman Yedda Romualdez, you received a grocery allowance of P5,000," she said.

"This month, with the even harder work of Cong. Yedda Romualdez, I have been able to authorize the release of P35,000," she added, to the joy of the staff.

The P35,000 "grocery allowance" is retroactive for the last seven months, from January to July this year, each month amounting to P5,000.

Arroyo likewise thanked the congressional staff for the hard work they are putting in to help accomplish the legislative agenda of President Rodrigo Duterte, which she sought to support.

"In the last six weeks, I have seen you worked very, very hard. I'm impressed by how well you adjusted to the transition and the extra effort you make to meet the expectations of the Speaker. Thank you very much. Please keep up the good work," she said.

The Speaker likewise told the House staff about her leadership and management style, which are covered by the keywords "hard work," "selectively hands-on" and "strict but fair and open-minded."

Arroyo is expecting that the House will be productive under her watch with the help and support of the congressional staff.

"Fortunately, we are not starting from zero because the President's legislative agenda has already been laid out. We just have to roll up our sleeves and get as much done as possible under my watch," she said.

In what is described as a "coup," Arroyo was formally elected Speaker of the House on July 23 — the day of Duterte's third State of the Nation Address — replacing Davao del Norte Representative Pantaleon Alvarez. —KG, GMA News