Additional cash bonus for local gov’t workers, execs

By: Tess Bedico - Journal
LOCAL government officials and employees can expect to get another cash bonus this Christmas like their counterparts in the national government.

Malacañang has approved the request of local government units for an additional or extra cash gift for their officials and employees, chargeable against the savings of the LGUs.

President Macapagal-Arroyo earlier issued Administrative Order 164 authorizing the grant of P6,000 performance bonus for national government employees including those in government-owned and controlled corporations and government financial institutions.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, in a letter to Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya Jr., said the cash gifts to local government personnel would be in addition to the year-end bonus and cash gift authorized under Republic Act 8441.

Ermita did not give the exact amount of the additional benefit but said it should be computed in accordance with an existing local budget circular.