CEBU City Mayor Edgardo Labella is bent on giving a Charter Day bonus to Cebu City Hall employees, especially those assigned in the frontline services at the City Hall.
The local executive’s insistence came despite the opposition of some city councilors, who said distributing cash incentives to employees while there are Cebu City residents who are still struggling after losing their jobs amid the Covid-19 pandemic would leave a bad taste in their constituents’ mouths.
Labella said he respected the opinion of the councilors, but with a swipe at them.
“Akong respetuan ang opinyon sa mga konsehal (I will respect the opinion of the councilors) if that opinion is really a sincere opinion,” said Labella in a press conference on March 29, 2021.
Labella defended that there were a number of City Hall employees who contracted Covid-19 because of their work. He is referring to workers assigned in the City Treasurer’s Office and City Accounting Office who, according to him, are exposed to a number of individuals.
“So di sad nato maingon nga ang empleyado wa say risgo (we cannot say the employees are not exposed to risk),” said Labella.
Some councilors previously said it would be “awkward” if the City Hall employees would receive a Charter Day bonus even with the government’s unhampered flow of salary, while the private individuals paying the taxes are struggling and several business establishments closed shop due to the pandemic.
Cebu City’s 84th Charter Day was celebrated last Feb. 24. There were awards given to outstanding individuals, but the City did not release cash incentives.
The Program on Awards and Incentives for Service Excellence (Praise) committee submitted its resolution to the City Council in early March, recognizing the achievements and exemplary services done by the City Hall employees.
The Praise committee states in the resolution that P10,000 shall be granted to active employees of the City Hall as of Jan. 31 whose length of service is equal to or more than four months, while employees who have rendered less than four months will receive a prorated amount. (JJL)