Lapu-Lapu to wait for Palace order on holiday bonus

CEBU, Philippines - Less than 50 days to Christmas and it is not yet clear whether workers at Lapu-Lapu City Hall are receiving bonuses.

Mayor Paz Radaza said in a press conference that the city will still have to wait for instructions from the national government regarding the dispensation of Christmas bonuses.

A go-signal from the Office of the President is what the city needs in order to give Productivity Enhancement Incentives, she said.

"We are being careful in giving bonus," Radaza said, explaining that she does not want the city to be questioned by the Commission on Audit.

The mayor said she does not want to put workers in a situation where they will be asked to return the cash given to them.

"It's hard to return the money once it's spent," she said.

Employees, according to Radaza, can get the other half of the 13th month pay this month since the first half of it was already released last June.

Job order workers may not receive bonuses but could get other forms of incentives, according to the mayor. — Christell Fatima M. Tudtud (FREEMAN)