THE more than 2,000 employees of the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental have more reasons to cheer this Christmas, as Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. announced that they will receive P35,000 in additional bonus.

Marañon made the announcement during the Christmas Party of the Provincial Capitol employees last Friday.

Progressive Alliance of Capitol Employees (Pace) president Renelo Lastierre thanked Marañon and the Provincial Government for granting the additional/extra bonus.

"We appreciate your concern for the plight of government workers. The employees will always remember Gov. Alfredo Maranon Jr. as a champion of employees' welfare. We are always with you and the rest of the Provincial Government officials in serving the people of our province," Lastierre said in a statement Tuesday.

Earlier, the Provincial Government unanimously approved the resolution authorizing Marañon to determine the additional bonus.

Pace proposed a bracketing of the proposed bonus. For those with salary grades (SG) 1 to 11, it will be P50,000; those with SG 12 to 20 - P40,000; while those from SG 21 to 30 - P30,000.

Provincial Budget Officer Jose Percival Salado Jr. said there is a P70-million savings from unfilled positions.

Lastierre said they requested for an additional bonus for the Capitol employees as the National Government only granted a 14th month pay as productivity enhancement incentive (PEI).

"The PEI is not equitable especially for those in the lower salary grade," Lastierre said. (TDE)