THE Provincial Government of Negros Occidental has began distributing the year-end bonus and cash gifts to all of its employees.
Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz II said Monday, November 22, that over 3,000 regular and casual employees are receiving their bonus equivalent to their month's salary, on top of the P5,000 cash gift.
He, however, did not have the details yet as to the total amount that was initially released.
Diaz also said that additional cash bonuses will be released in the coming days, although the exact amount will be announced by Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson.
But the provincial official confirmed that the bonus will be bigger than what the employees received last year amounting to P40,000.
Earlier this month, Diaz said the province received many awards this year, allowing it to give further support as to the bonuses that would be handed out to the employees.
Employees of the Provincial Government can also expect an additional bonus as part of the Collective Negotiation Agreement (CNA).
Diaz stressed that with all the hardships experienced by their employees this year, especially those who have gotten sick with Covid-19, the bonuses are expected to lift the morale of their employees, and further entice them to work harder in the coming year.
Meanwhile, the provincial administrator said the governor is yet to announce if they would revert back to the five-day work week arrangement.
The provincial Capitol employees adopted a four-day work week schedule earlier this year in light of the Covid-19 threat.
Diaz said Capitol employees are already accustomed to the new working arrangement, although the majority of them would still report on a Friday despite the Capitol building being closed.
He said Fridays usually are the time wherein they make their documentations and online meetings.
The Friday arrangement also helps them concentrate on their duties without external clients as it could help them clear backlogs in their work, Diaz said, adding that "we will just wait for the governor's advice."