On top of the five types of cash incentives that Bacolod City Hall employees received this November and December, they are also set to receive an additional P10,000 Service Recognition Incentive (SRI), as ordered by President Rodrigo Duterte.
The President issued Administrative Order No. 37 on Dec. 8, authorizing local government units to grant a one-time SRI to government employees at a uniform rate not exceeding P10,000, that shall be released not earlier than Dec. 21.
Those entitled to receive are employees who are occupying regular, contractual, or casual positions. The amount shall be determined by the Sangguniang Panlungsod depending on the city’s financial capability and subject to the supplemental guidelines issued by the Department of Budget and Management.
In his order, Duterte said the administration recognized the value and importance of government employees for their participation and contribution in the current efforts toward the streamlining of government procedure and delivery of public services.
Mayor Evelio Leonardia said, “This is the best Christmas bonus and incentive package for our city employees ever. And it comes at a most appropriate time because we are in the midst of a pandemic.”
ORDINANCE REQUEST
Leonardia said he has requested the SP, headed by Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, to pass an Appropriation Ordinance for this purpose today.
“We give all the benefits to employees based on two conditions – if there is legal basis and if there is availability of funds – following the guidelines set by Malacañang and the DBM,” he added.
Bacolod City Hall employees have therefore received a year-end bonus, performance-based bonus, cash gift of P5,000, Collective Negotiation (CNA) Incentive of P25,000, and Productivity Enhancement Incentive of P5,000.
An employee occupying Salary Grade 1 Step 1 will receive a total of P63,193 from the six cash incentives, including the additional SRI.
Leonardia said, “This means that Bacolod City has given all allowable bonuses and incentives, topped by the Performance-Based Bonus given only by selected LGUs.”
Meanwhile, the provincial government of Negros Occidental is still studying the possibility of granting the SRI to its employees.
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said yesterday he has to find out first if the extra bonus signed by the President is included in the computation of salary cap. “If it is, we might be violating the salary cap,” he added.
Lacson added that he will also find out if the provincial government can afford to give the full amount of P10,000, as it will still be subject to the availability of funds.
“If it is available, we can give,” he added. Capitol employees were already granted P40,000 additional bonuses by the provincial government, on top of their 13th and 14th month, as well as P5,000 cash bonus.*WITH GPB
