BACOLOD City – City Administrator Lucel Gelvolea has requested several offices in the Bacolod City Government to work overtime to expedite the processing of gratuity pay for casual workers.
“I am requesting the City Mayor’s Office, budget, accounting, and treasurer’s offices to work overtime once the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) approves the appropriation ordinance for the allocation of incentives for casual workers,” Gelvolea said.
This development follows the issuance of Administrative Order (AO) No. 28 by Malacañang, which authorizes the grant of gratuity pay to contract of service (COS) and job order (JO) workers in government for fiscal year 2024.
The AO highlights the role of COS and JO workers in supporting government programs, activities, and projects, particularly those aligned with the Philippine Development Plan 2023–2028 and the President’s 8-point Socioeconomic Agenda.
However, it also notes that these workers do not receive the benefits enjoyed by regular government employees, such as bonuses and economic relief allowances, despite earning wages comparable to regular positions and receiving up to a 20% premium.
Gelvolea explained that the maximum gratuity pay amount is set at P7,000, although the actual amount each worker will receive depends on the computation of days worked.
The Bacolod City Council is scheduled to hold its last session on December 23 to deliberate on the appropriation ordinance. Meanwhile, government offices are expected to operate until December 27.
This overtime request aims to ensure timely release of the incentives, providing much-needed support to casual workers before the year ends./PN
