OUTGOING Davao City Mayor and incoming Vice President Sara Duterte is going to appeal to her brother and successor, Mayor-elect Sebastian Duterte, to provide "pahalipay" (gifts) in the middle of the year.
Sara said during the flag raising ceremony on Monday, June 20 that the annual "pahalipay" is being given every December.
But she understood the current financial struggle among employees due to the continuous increase of basic goods and other commodities brought about the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.
"Karon, tinuod mana nga naay kalisod tungod sa Russia ug sa Ukraine. Naa siya epekto sa tibuok kalibutan. So dapat [sa] June naa pud (Now, it is true that there is hardship brought about the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. It has an effect to the entire world. So, there should also be pahalipay this June)," Duterte said, resulting to the employees to cheer regarding the incoming vice president's announcement.
In a press conference, Duterte said the proposed "pahalipay" will still be discussed with the City Legal Office.
She added this would be endorsed to the incoming administration of Sebastian, the outgoing vice mayor.
It was not emphasized, however, when it will be implemented, and the amount will be given.
In her speech, she said one of the legacies she can leave for the employees is the increase of salaries of the workers under contracts of service and job orders beyond the minimum wage set by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to ensure that no employee shall receive a salary less than P10,000 per month.
The city also augmented additional increases starting January 2020 and gave loyalty pay for personnel who have served for more than 20 years but were not appointed as plantilla or regular employees
"Gihimo namo ni para ang atong sweldo sa JO ug contracts of service duol na sa sweldo sa plantilla. Gipaningkamutan namo ni kay kahibalo mi nga ang inyong kahago parehas lang (We did this so that the salary of the JO and contracts of service are close to the salary of the plantilla. We did this because we know that you are putting the same amount of effort)," the mayor said.
She also said appointments are also signed twice a year in June and December since 2018 to ensure security of tenure with priority to those who are working in Davao for a long time.
Duterte also urged the employees to support the incoming administration of her brother as she is set to assume the vice presidency on 12 noon of June 30. RGL