Add’l Christmas bonus up for City Hall workers

CEBU, Philippines - Mayor Michael Rama announced yesterday that he is willing to provide additional cash bonus to each of the 5,000 officials and employees of the Cebu City government this Christmas.

During his daily press conference at the City Hall yesterday, Rama said that he already ordered City Administrator Jose Marie Poblete and Budget Officer Nelfa Briones to look for funds that can be used to give additional bonus to all city employees.

When asked how much he would give each employee, the mayor said he cannot answer it for now because it will depend on the available funds.

Councilor Lea Ouano-Japson said she reviewed the proposed P267.7 million Supplemental Budget (SB2) and she is wondering why the mayor did not include the allocation.

If the mayor will decide to give P10,000 for each of the close to 5,000 city officials and employees, the city will be spending about P50 million.

Officials and employees, including the members of the Cebu City Council, were granted P10,000 each last December and another P10,000 each for the Charter Day anniversary last February.

Although the city is experiencing a low budget, budget officers usually realign funds every time the mayor orders the granting of additional cash incentives.

Funds that are intended for various projects that are not being implemented will be realigned and will be used to fund the granting of additional cash bonus to the employees, but with the concurrence of the Cebu City legislators. – (FREEMAN)