First time for JO workers to receive Christmas bonus

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival stood by his word that this year will mark the first time Job Order (JO) employees of City Hall will each receive a P5,000 Christmas bonus, insisting that what they received in previous years was gratuity pay, not a bonus, although they are of the same amount.

During a press conference at City Hall, Archival noted that reports had circulated claiming his earlier statement was inaccurate.

“Daghan man gud kaayong mga muhatag og news nga makahatag og division sa atong mga constituents. But this is very clear. This is the first time,” Archival said.

The mayor stressed that the distinction must be clear to avoid confusion, especially amid questions raised about his announcement.

He explained that while JO workers had indeed received P5,000 in past years, this was classified as gratuity pay authorized by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

Gratuity, under DBM issuances, is a one-time financial assistance granted to Contract of Service and Job Order workers in recognition of their service. Historically, gratuity has ranged from P3,000 to P7,000 depending on fiscal capacity.

“Again, this will be the first time that the city government will give P5,000 for the JOs. That should be very clear. Of course, nakadawat mo before, but that was gratuity. This is different,” Archival said.

For regular and casual employees, Archival said discussions are ongoing on whether their bonus could reach P15,000 aside from the P5,000 Service Recognition Incentive (SRI).

The SRI, also authorized under DBM issuances, is a yearly incentive for regular and casual government employees in recognition of their collective contribution to public service.

Unlike gratuity, which is for non-plantilla workers, the SRI is limited to plantilla positions and is separate from bonuses or other incentives.

Archival said the City’s Budget and Treasurer’s Offices are now finalizing the amounts before submission to the City Council for supplemental budget approval.

He requested that the bonuses be released before the Christmas break, noting that the city has savings of P1.4 billion to P1.5 billion to fund the measure. — /RAE (FREEMAN)