Employees union earlier appealed for more money

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

After the Provincial Treasurer’s Office released 14th month bonuses for Negros Occidental provincial government employees earlier this month and the Progressive Alliance of Capitol Employees (PACE) publicly called for the provincial government to provide additional bonuses, the Provincial Budget Office said they are looking into ways to comply by the union’s plea.

Provincial Budget Officer Jose Percival Salado yesterday said they are hoping to provide funding through the Excellence in Local Governance (Excell) Awards, a program operated by the Department of Interior and Local Government.

“I will recommend that we source an additional bonus from this award,” he said. “The Excell award easier to justify.”

Salado added, “We are actually thinking of giving out not less than P40,000 to all employees and officials.”

PACE earlier said they could possibly receive an additional bonus through the Collective Negotiation Agreement (CNA); however, the provincial budget officer echoed earlier sentiment by acting Provincial Administrator, Dr. Lucille Gelvolea, saying clarification is still needed from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

Gelvolea previously noted, it is unclear if CNA cash incentives or other awards would be disbursed as they must ensure compliance with DBM regulations.

According to DBM guidelines, incentives would be available for government offices that have accomplished and implemented at least 70 percent of their programs and projects as of September 30.

Salado said it used to be October 31.

“We are still reviewing [to see] if we have reached 70 percent program implementation,” he added.

Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno earlier said eligible government employees could receive a maximum P25,000 CNA incentive bonus./DGB, WDJ