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Fitial raises DLNR secretary salary from $48K to $54K
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Posted on Apr 11 2012
Gov. Benigno R. Fitial raised the salary of Department of Lands and Natural Resources Secretary Arnold I. Palacios from $48,000 to $54,000, which is what other Cabinet secretaries also receive.
Palacios’ predecessor was receiving $80,000 but that was mainly because Dr. Ignacio Dela Cruz holds a doctorate in veterinary medicine, said press secretary Angel Demapan on Tuesday.
Palacios, in a brief interview Tuesday afternoon, said the $54,000 still does not include the 20-percent salary cut and unpaid holidays because of the austerity measures.
He said he thinks he’s one of the lowest-paid Cabinet secretaries.
Demapan said the average salary of Cabinet members is $50,000, with the exception of a few that are receiving $52,000 to $54,000 per annum, depending on statutory cap.
The press secretary said that Palacios and two other Cabinet secretaries are the lowest-paid at $48,000 each.
“The disparity in their salaries was something the administration previously addressed in past budget submissions, but it was always omitted from appropriation measures previously passed by the Legislature,” he said.
Palacios, a former House speaker during the 16th Legislature, was confirmed and sworn in as DLNR secretary in February. Prior to his election as a lawmaker, he had already worked at DLNR for 18 years, mostly as Division of Fish and Wildlife director.
The governor sent the Legislature a March 28 certification for an annual salary in excess of $50,000 for Palacios.
