By CESAR JOLITO III

The Bacolod City government has begun releasing more than P199 million in financial incentives and bonuses for its workforce, a move Mayor Greg Gasataya said is aimed at boosting employee morale and improving the delivery of public services.

On Thursday, December 18, Gasataya signed disbursement orders covering several employee benefits scheduled for release before the end of the year.

These include P45 million for the Collective Negotiation Agreement Incentive, P30 million for the Service Recognition Incentive, P8.815 million for the Productivity Incentive Allowance or Performance Enhancement Incentive, and P25 million for the Performance-Based Bonus.

The incentives will benefit regular and plantilla casual employees of the city government.

Meanwhile, job order and contract of service workers will receive P7,000 each in gratuity pay, amounting to a total allocation of P29.176 million.

The city has also set aside P8.815 million for cash gifts for regular and casual employees.

Earlier, in November, the local government released P52.203 million in year-end bonuses.

Gasataya urged city employees to translate the additional benefits into improved service for Bacolodnons, stressing that the incentives come with an expectation of efficiency and accountability in public service.

“This is part of our commitment to recognize the hard work of our employees while ensuring that the public receives better and more efficient services,” the mayor said.

To ensure the smooth processing and release of the funds, Gasataya secured approval from the Department of Finance to extend the appointment of Acting City Treasurer Gary Gecosala, whose term was set to expire this year.

He also acknowledged the Department of the Interior and Local Government, led by Secretary Juanito Victor Remulla, for the prompt issuance of the notice of eligibility that allowed the Performance-Based Bonus to be released within 2025./CJ, WDJ