Hefty bonus awaits Capitol workers

Local

CAPITOL workers are set to receive a hefty bonus after the Cebu Provincial Board (PB) approved more than P306 million in incentive payouts as part of its budget allocation.

In its regular session on Tuesday, July 21, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan approved Appropriation Ordinance No. 44, allocating P306.075 million in public funds for various expenditures, including cash incentives for government personnel.

Each qualified Capitol employee, whether permanent, casual, coterminous, appointive, or elective, is entitled to a P30,000 bonus. Job order workers will receive a P20,000 premium.

The PB passed the ordinance unanimously on first, second, and third reading, following the issuance of a certificate of urgency from the Office of the Governor.

It also authorizes Governor Pamela Baricuatro to realign funds and augment budget items within her office and that of the vice governor using savings from the same expense class.

Board Member Raymond Joseph Calderon, vice chairperson of the Committee on Budget and

Appropriations, said the incentive package complies with all provisions of the Local Government Code and the Department of Budget and Management’s Budget Operations Manual.

To qualify, employees must have rendered at least one month of service as of June 30 and must still be in active service as of July 15.

The incentive program was introduced in recognition of the Capitol’s achievements in public service and governance over the past year.

These include the 2024 Good Financial Housekeeping certification from the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

As well as recognition as the top revenue-generating province in Central Visayas; and national awards from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, and Department of Health for innovation, sound fiscal management, and inter-agency collaboration.

Baricuatro acknowledged the efforts of Capitol personnel and credited their creativity and resilience for the province’s improved delivery of services.

The P30,000 incentive is granted under the Program on Awards and Incentives for Service Excellence of the Civil Service Commission.

The P20,000 premium for job order workers follows guidelines under Joint Circular No. 2 (series of 2020, 2022, and 2024) issued by the Commission on Audit and the Department of Budget and Management, which limits such grants to no more than 120 percent of the daily wage rate of comparable regular positions.

The ordinance was authored by Board Member Celestino Martinez III and co-sponsored by fellow members of the Provincial Board. The Provincial Treasurer and the acting Provincial Accountant certified the availability of funds.(MyTVCebu)