The 30% increase in wages that is currently seeking approval in Congress will consume approximately RD$8 billion of the 2005 budget. According to the report in Diario Libre, the pay hike will be effected in two phases, the first with a 20% increase and a subsequent 10% increase. During the first nine months of 2004 the government spent an average of RD$2.265 billion per month on personal services, according to the Budget Office. A 20% wage increase in January will augment this figure to RD$2.718 billion per month, representing an overall increase of RD$5.89 billion per year. To this amount, another 10% must be factored, to give a total RD$2.99 billion. The legislation approved by the Chamber of Deputies would distribute a 20% wage increase in January and another 10% by mid-year.