Some cash gift up for release

SOME local government units are now ready to release the extra cash gifts for regular and contractual employees while other towns and cities are still looking for fund sources.

Provincial Administrator Enrique Pinongan said the Provincial Government may release the extra cash gift of capitol employees before their Christmas Party on December 17.

Despite the new guidelines of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), barring LGUs from utilizing unused calamity funds for five years, Capitol has the savings from unfilled personnel positions, which will be used for the cash gift, Pinongan said.

Pinongan added that other LGUs, which do not have savings and available fund sources may not be able to give extra cash gifts to their employees.

Hinobaan Mayor Teresa Bilbao said they have available funds for the cash gift of their employees. Each employee will receive P10,000 as extra cash gift and will be given an additional amount, which she could not yet determine as of now.

She added that the cash gif will be given on a staggered basis.

For the 117 employees of the Municipality of Pontevedra, Mayor Jose Maria Alonso said they will be given P20,000 each for their cash gifts because the LGU still has enough savings.

The Sipalay City Government will also give P20,000 cash gift for each employee, according to Mayor Oscar Mobtilla.

In the Municipality of La Castellana, Mayor Bordig Nicor said they could only afford P8,000 extra cash gift for their employees because of the new circular from the DBM. Last year, the employees were given P22,000 each. (Teresa Ellera-Dulla)