CEBU City Mayor Nestor Archival has ordered a financial assessment to determine whether the City Government can advance the release of the 13th month pay and Christmas bonus for City Hall employees, as both public and private sectors move to ease the burden on workers affected by typhoon Tino.
Archival said he has instructed acting city treasurer Emma Villarete to review the City’s fiscal position, particularly after the recent distribution of financial aid to senior citizens and pending requests for barangay assistance.
Archival said there would be no problem releasing the bonuses early once sufficient funds become available, emphasizing that the City’s capacity to do so depends on its current financial standing.
He added that the evaluation aims to balance the City’s financial obligations while still providing timely benefits to employees.
“I told Emma to check if we can give and how much we can give now, so we can assess how much benefits we can provide to our City Hall employees,” he said.
Archival’s directive follows his earlier appeal to private employers to show compassion toward their workers affected by the typhoon by offering immediate relief measures.
He encouraged businesses to provide assistance such as allowing employees to charge devices at offices, giving modest financial aid, or advancing portions of their 13th month pay.
“This is not an order, my friends. This is simply a heartfelt request, for all of us to help one another so that no one is left behind,” he said.
Private sector initiatives
Earlier, Councilor Harold Go, chairman of the City Council’s committee on business and urban planning, also appealed to business establishments to advance the release of the 13th month pay for their employees to help them recover from the disaster.
Go has been coordinating with companies and the Department of Labor and Employment to ensure compliance with proper labor standards.
Vice Mayor Tomas Osmeña also made a Facebook post on Friday, Nov. 7, announcing that through Councilor Go’s coordination, several business process outsourcing firms have agreed to advance the distribution of their 13th month pay.
Osmeña particularly praised the companies Synchrony, Conduent and TechMahindra, for extending various forms of aid, from housing displaced workers to providing care packages and free transportation for affected families.
Archival said he welcomed these private sector initiatives and expressed hope that the City Government could soon extend similar relief to its own workforce.
“This is a time for compassion and solidarity. If resources allow, we will do our part for our employees,” he said. / CAV