CHRISTMAS will bring a welcome financial breather for thousands of Cebu City Hall workers.
Mayor Nestor Archival confirmed that regular and casual employees will receive around P15,000 in Christmas bonuses, while job-order (JO) personnel will get P5,000.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, December 1, Archival said the city aims to provide support without overspending, especially since many employees are still recovering from the storm.
“Bonus naa ta, something like P15,000. Regular and casual, P15,000; JO, P5,000,” the mayor said.
He added, “Dili ing-ana ka extravagant. Kinahanglan pud makasabot nga ang [uban nga] atong mga taga City Hall na igo baya sa Tino.”
Archival emphasized that while bonuses bring holiday cheer, they must remain sensitive to community realities.
Even before Archival confirmed the additional Christmas bonus, the city had already begun releasing standard year-end benefits.
The year-end bonus, equivalent to one month’s salary plus the P5,000 cash gift, started rolling out on November 12.
With recovery efforts still ongoing, Archival reiterated that City Hall will not hold a large Christmas party this year.
“We have decided that we will no longer hold a big Christmas party,” he said.
Only small, internal office gatherings will be allowed. Department heads may organize simple get-togethers but must avoid unnecessary spending.
“If they will have a party, they probably have to chip in for the expenses, so it will not be so costly… everyone must be aware that the city is in need,” Archival said.
The mayor said he did not impose a budget cap but expects leaders to maintain a recovery-first mindset.
The timing aligns with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM)’s nationwide call for agencies to release year-end bonuses earlier this November.
DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said the early disbursement recognizes government workers’ service and helps them plan for holiday and post-calamity expenses.
The national government allocated P63.69 billion for the year-end bonus of civilian and uniformed personnel and P9.24 billion for the P5,000 cash gift. (LLP)
