BAGUIO CITY (May 24) — Contrary to allegations that the city government could not pay the salaries and wages of some 30 employees maintaining the operations of the city-controlled Asin Hydro-electric plants, the city released some P675,000 last week, the city administrator announced.

The amount covered unpaid salaries and wages from December 26 last year to February 28, 2007, according to city Administrator Peter Fianza in a Nordis interview. The payroll showed that for December the city paid P67,817; for January, P280,444; and February, P326,452.

Fianza iterated that finalizing the payroll took too long due to the preparation of the employment contracts of the Asin personnel who are among the city’s job order employees. “Certain factors had to be considered that caused the delay in the payment, but it was not due to lack of funds,” clarified Fianza.

Next week, Asin employees will expect another batch of payroll to cover the months of March and April. The funds, according to Fianza were drawn from the trust fund created for the mini-hydros.

The present Asin workforce include 12 water guards, 12 plant operators, 1 electrician, 1 fitter, 1 lineman, 2 plate welders and a supervisor.

Fianza said he is considering the preparation of the budget for the next six months to include salaries and wages of the maintenance staff.

Earlier on Monday, acting Vice-mayor Leandro Yangot assured the public that there is enough fund to pay the Asin employees. # Lyn V. Ramo for NORDIS