THE Cebu City Government has started to release the 14th month pay of its more than 5,000 regular and casual employees.

The release came after Mayor Edgardo Labella ordered the City Treasurer’s Office (CTO) on Monday, Nov. 16, 2020, to prepare the documents so the employees can receive their 14th month pay and use the money for the holiday season.

CTO officer-in-charge Noel Wenceslao said 80 percent of the employees had received their 14th month pay as of Wednesday, Nov. 18, and the release continued on Thursday, Nov. 19.

The pay is equivalent to an employee’s one-month salary.

Wenceslao said the City Hall released the 14th month pay to follow the Department of Budget’s Management Circular No. 2016-4, which states that its release must start every Nov. 15.

The Budget Department’s circular also mandates the distribution of P5,000 in cash gifts to government employees.

The CTO distributed the 13th month pay last June.

Wenceslao said he has no idea if there will be a Christmas bonus for this year as the mayor has no order regarding the matter. / PAC / KAL