THE employees of the Bacolod City government are expected to receive their Service Recognition Incentive (SRI) of P10,000 this week.
Mayor Evelio Leonardia said the Bacolod City Government is ready to grant the whole maximum amount of P10,000 to all its employees occupying regular, contractual, and casual positions.
Upon the mayor's request, the City Council, headed by Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, passed an Appropriation Ordinance for this purpose during their regular session last December 23.
"This is the best Christmas bonus and incentive package for our city employees ever. And it comes at a most appropriate time because we are in the midst of a pandemic," Leonardia said.
Aside from the SRI, Bacolod City Hall regular employees had received five types of cash incentives last November and December. These were Year-end Bonus, Performance-Based Bonus, Cash Gift of P5,000, Collective Negotiation Agreement Incentive (CNAI) of P25,000, and Productivity Enhancement Incentive (PEI) of P5,000.
"With this, it means that Bacolod City has given all allowable bonuses and incentives, topped by the Performance-Based Bonus given only by selected LGUs," the mayor added.
The mayor has issued Memorandum 1 series of 2021, dated January 4, directing all department and office heads to process the SRI of their respective personnel.
Last December, President Rodrigo Duterte had issued Administrative Order 37, authorizing LGUs to grant a one-time SRI to government employees at a uniform rate of not exceeding P10,000, and shall be released not earlier than December 21, 2020.
In his Order, Duterte said the administration recognized the value and importance of government employees for their participation and contribution in the current efforts towards streamlining of government procedure and delivery of public services.
As for the Job Order workers, they are also set to receive a Gratuity Pay of P3,000 each this month. Last week, Malacañang announced that contractual and job order workers of the government are set to receive P3,000 in Gratuity Pay as allowed by the President.
Leonardia said, "We give all the benefits to employees based on two conditions - if there is legal basis and if there is availability of funds - following the guidelines set by Malacañang and the Department of Budget and Management." (PR)