By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga
Negros Occidental’s provincial administrator, Atty. Rayfrando Diaz, yesterday said the provincial government has begun releasing the yearend bonus and cash gift to all of their employees.
According to Diaz, more than 3,000 regular and casual employees will receive their bonus equivalent to a one month salary, plus a cash gift of P5,000.
Diaz did not have the details of the total amount released.
He also revealed that additional cash bonuses will also be released in the coming days, although the exact amount will be announced by Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson himself.
However, Diaz affirmed that the bonus will be “greater” than what the employees received last year which amounted to P40,000.
Earlier this month, Diaz said the province received a lot of awards this year wherein it could further provide support as to the bonuses that would be handed out to the employees.
Provincial government employees can also expect an additional bonus as part of the Collective Negotiation Agreement (CNA).
He pointed out that with all the hardships experienced by the provincial government employees this year, especially those who have gotten sick with COVID-19, the bonuses are expected to lift the morale of the employees and further entice them to work harder in the coming year.
Meanwhile, even though the threat of COVID-19 among the capitol workers is already under control, Diaz said Lacson had yet to announce if they would revert back to the five-day workweek arrangement.
The capitol adopted a four-day workweek schedule earlier this year due to the threat of the pandemic.
Diaz said employees of the provincial government have already adopted the new working arrangement, although a majority of the staff will still report on Friday despite the capitol being closed.
He pointed out Friday is usually the time wherein they make their documentations and online meetings.
The Friday arrangement also helps with Diaz commenting that they could concentrate on their duties without external clients as it could help them clear backlogs in their work.
“We will just wait for the governor’s advice,” he added./DGB, WDJ
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