ILOILO — More than 2,000 regular employees of the Iloilo provincial government are set to receive over ₱50,000 in combined year-end incentives as the province moves to release multiple bonuses ahead of the Christmas and New Year celebrations.
The payout follows the signing by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of administrative orders granting a one-time Service Recognition Incentive (SRI) to government workers and a gratuity pay to contract of service (COS) and job order (JO) personnel.
Vice Gov. Nathalie Ann Debuque said the Iloilo Provincial Government’s Local Finance Committee is already discussing the release of the SRI for regular employees, with the possibility of granting the maximum amount allowed under the guidelines.
“Base sa guidelines maximum of P20,000 ang SRI. Kon kaluy-an basi ma-maximum ta,” Debuque said when asked by reporters how much regular employees could receive.
Under Administrative Order No. 40, Marcos authorized a one-time SRI at a uniform rate not exceeding ₱20,000 for personnel in the executive department. Eligible recipients include civilian employees of national government agencies, state universities and colleges, and government-owned or -controlled corporations holding regular, contractual, or casual positions.
Uniformed personnel from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, Philippine Public Safety College, Bureau of Fire Protection, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Bureau of Corrections, Philippine Coast Guard, and the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority are likewise entitled to the incentive.
At the provincial level, the 15th Sangguniang Panlalawigan has already approved the release of the ₱30,000 Collective Negotiation Agreement (CNA) Incentive and the Performance-Based Bonus (PBB) equivalent to half of an employee’s monthly salary.
The provincial board is also awaiting national guidelines on the release of the ₱5,000 Productivity Enhancement Incentive (PEI) for regular employees.
Debuque said the bonuses are a recognition of the workforce’s contribution, citing the numerous awards and recognitions earned by the Iloilo provincial government this year.
“Kita niyo amat-amat na subong lapad ang mga yuhom sang mga empleyado kay tungod nga nagaguwa na ang aton bonuses,” she added.
She clarified, however, that the incentives remain subject to taxation, meaning employees will not receive the full gross amount.
For COS and JO workers, Debuque said discussions on their gratuity pay are ongoing, with funding expected to be approved during the regular session of the 15th Sangguniang Panlalawigan on Tuesday, December 16.
The release of the incentives, she noted, should not be earlier than December 15./PN
