Negros Occidental, Bacolod City LGUs OK bonus scheme for workers

BACOLOD CITY — Around 4,000 employees of the Negros Occidental provincial government and this city will receive hefty bonuses this holiday season.

The 2,800 provincial government employees will receive 145,000 in bonuses each after the Sangguniang Panlalawigan approved the grant of an additional bonus requested by Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr., which is 15,000 higher than last year.

This request from the office of the governor to add a 125,000 bonus was in addition to the 120,000 in benefits that will be given to capitol employees in time for Christmas.

The 125,000 bonus was approved Wednesday by the provincial council while the 120,000 was approved last week.

Some 170 million has been earmarked for the additional bonuses, Board Member Salvador Escalante, Committee on Finance and Appropriations Chair said.

Escalante said the 125,000 Incentive Benefit for Exemplary Performance will be sourced from the Personal Services savings,.

The 145,000 in bonuses does not include the 13th and 14th-month pay also received by Capitol employees in May and November this year.

Meanwhile, 1,300 Bacolod City employees will also enjoy a 125,000 Collection Negotiation Agreement incentive bonus, which is almost six times higher than last year’s bonus of 13,500.

The incentive bonus includes plantilla casual, executive assistants, technical assistants, Bacolod City College full time and contractual teachers.