The city government is set to release P19.74 million in additional bonus for 1,316 city hall employees amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
This was announced by Mayor Carmelo Lazatin Jr., adding that the bonus amounting to P15,000 each is an incentive to those who had worked hard in the delivery of services, particularly the city’s program on relief operations at the height of COVID-19 crisis.
“It’s going to be a very merry and early Christmas for the city government employees, for I want them to be happy as my way of thanking them in their efforts during the height of this pandemic,” Lazatin said.
The release of the P19.74-million bonus for the employees was stated in memorandum No. 1198, series of 2020 issued on October 15.
“The additional benefits for qualified city government employees will be released on Dec. 22.”
The mayor said the additional benefits for qualified city government employees, including the collective negotiation agreement (CNA) bonus worth P5,000, productivity enhancement incentive worth P5,000, and the service recognition incentive worth P5,000 will be released on Dec. 22.
Out of the total 1,316 city hall employees, 980 are permanent, 321 are casual, and 15 are contractual.
Last Oct. 5, with the directive of Lazatin, the local finance committee composed of the City Budget Office, City Accounting Office, and City Treasurer’s Office, immediately computed and prepared the year-end bonus of the city government employees.
He cited the importance of releasing the bonus and other incentives for the year as a means of ensuring that the employees have financial security amid the pandemic.
“This is also in recognition of all the efforts being done by our hardworking and dedicated city government employees despite the many challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. We want them to still be able to celebrate the coming holiday season.”
“This is also in recognition of all the efforts being done by our hardworking and dedicated city government employees despite the many challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. We want them to still be able to celebrate the coming holiday season,” Lazatin said.
City hall employees — permanent, casual, and contractual — will also receive their tax-free year-end bonus, equivalent to a one-month basic salary amounting to a total of P32.54 million.
In addition, city hall employees will each receive a P5,000 cash gift, amounting to a total of P6.58 million.
Both the year-end bonus and cash gift incentive will be released for qualified government employees on Nov. 6.
The grant of year-end bonus is in accordance with Republic Act 66861, as amended by Republic Act 8441, and under the Department of Budget Management Circular No. 2016-4.
On the other hand, contract of service (COS) employees who are qualified will receive P3,000 cash incentive each on Dec. 10, for a total amount of P8.41 million.