Capitol employees get Christmas bonus

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu provincial government released yesterday the Christmas bonus for the 1,564 employees of the Capitol.

Acting provincial treasurer Manny Guial said the incentives were sent directly to the bank accounts of the employees.

Last Monday, the Provincial Board approved the P33 million supplemental budget covering the Christmas bonus of Capitol employees, some of whom will receive P20,000.

Guial, however, clarified that a tax has been deducted from the bonus, a move that irked some employees.

"Mao ni nga naa lay ma-net nga, labing ubos madawat, is P18,000," he added.

A Capitol employee, who refused to be named, asked for a tax-free bonus and to have the deductions taken instead from their salaries next year.

Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner Kim Henares earlier clarified that taxes will be imposed on all bonuses in excess of P30, 000.

In August, Capitol released P15,000 anniversary bonus to the employees.

The P20,000 bonus will only be given in full to employees who started March of this year or equivalent to nine months of rendering service.

Ninety percent of the P20,000 Christmas bonus will also be given to those who rendered at least seven to eight months in service.

Employees who rendered service from September to October 31 will only get half of the Christmas bonus.— (FREEMAN)