CEBU City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia announced on Monday, April 21, 2025, that he is hoping to receive a reply this week from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) regarding the City's request for an exemption.
The exemption is sought to allow the release of Charter Day bonuses for City Hall employees.
Speaking during the flag-raising ceremony, Garcia noted that the delay in response may be due to the recent holidays.
"Because it was a long weekend, that's why tingale nga wala mahatagan og action dayon. But hoping this week, ma actionan dayon para ma-release na nato," said Garcia.
(Because it was a long weekend, that might be the reason why no immediate action was taken. But we're hoping that this week, it will be acted upon so we can release it already.)
He assured employees that the City would follow up on the request.
"Just give us a few more days, we will follow up again this week and before you know it, ma release na gyud nato ang inyong bonus," he added.
The Charter Day bonus is an incentive given to Cebu City Hall employees in commemoration of the city's founding anniversary, celebrated every February 24th.
This year, the bonus amount for regular and casual employees was approved at P35,000.
However, its release has been pending due to the current election period, which restricts the disbursement of certain benefits and would require the City Government to request for an exemption from the Comelec. (JPS)