Cebu City Hall workers may receive their Christmas bonuses before the holidays as the city races to finalize Supplemental Budget 3 (SB-3).
Mayor Nestor Archival said the package includes P15,000 for regular and casual employees and P5,000 for job order (JO) personnel — marking the first time JOs will receive an actual bonus from the city.
“At least dili na magproblema ang mga tawo,” he said in a recent press conference.
He clarified earlier misunderstandings over incentives given to job order workers, noting that past releases were not bonuses. “This will be the first time nga the city government will give P5,000 for JOs. Before, it was gratuity pay ang ilang nadawat, not a bonus,” he said. “Daghan kaayong news nga nakahimo’g division sa atong constituents… it should be very clear.”
Archival said the processing of requirements is underway, but the release date still hinges on the City Council’s approval. “Hopefully before mag Christmas break,” he said.
Councilor Dave Tumulak, who chairs the committee on budget and finance, said they are awaiting the official memorandum from the Civil Service Commission and the Department of Budget and Management to determine the proper classification of bonuses.
“We will just wait for the memorandum… unsa klaseha nga bonus ni — service recognition, SRI. Katong PBB nga P5,000, on top ana naa pay laing bonus,” he said.
Tumulak stressed that this year’s gratuity pay for JOs has not been released yet and remains separate from the bonus. “Dili sad na mahimong next year na mahitabo. Before the year ends naa na na. Pero kinahanglan pa ipasa ang Supplemental Budget,” he said.
The mayor earlier instructed the Local Finance Committee (LFC) to expedite the filing of SB-3, estimated at P1.4 billion to P1.5 billion sourced from city savings. “This week gikinahanglan maduso na nato sa konseho… ang akong gitan-aw nga masulod gyud ni sa wala pay Pasko,” he said.
City Treasurer Emma Villarete, a member of the LFC, said the budget allocations have been organized and are now being finalized.
Proposed appropriations under SB-3 include:
• P500 million for the Cebu City Medical Center
• P300 million for housing lot acquisition
• Funding for barangay rehabilitation, especially areas hit by Typhoon Tino
• Christmas bonuses for City Hall workers
Cebu City employs more than 4,000 personnel, including over 2,000 casual workers and about 1,000 JOs. All are expected to receive bonuses once SB-3 is approved.
Many employees are still dealing with the impacts of Typhoon Tino, which also prompted the city to cancel its annual Christmas party. Departments were asked to keep any gatherings “simple and modest.”
The city is still awaiting guidance from the national government on possible calamity aid for affected workers. The council is expected to tackle SB-3 next week, with the target of releasing bonuses before the end of December. (LLP)
