Employees of the Provincial Capitol react after Cebu governor Hilario Davide III announces the P18k bonus during yesterdays 445th Founding Anniversary celebration at the Capitol social hall. (CDN PHOTO/JUNJIE MENDOZA)
The Cebu provincial government’s 1,553 employees are set to receive an anniversary cash bonus of up to P18,000, Gov. Hilario Davide III announced in yesterday’s celebration of Cebu’s 445th founding anniversary.
The amount is higher from last year’s P15,000 after an “anniversary bonus” of P3,000 was added on top of the employees’ collective negotiation agreement (CNA) incentive.
The governor’s highly-anticipated announcement drew the loudest cheer and the longest applause from the employees during his closing speech at the jam-packed Capitol Social Hall.
“This year, I’m happy to announce that all employees who were in service as of Dec. 31, 2013 will receive P15,000. On top of that, we have an anniversary bonus given on milestone years or in every five years,” a smiling Davide said.
“This is for accomplishing performance targets at lower costs and for more efficient operations through cost-cutting measures and the overall improvement of our working system,” he added.
The last time the incentive was given was in 2009 during the time of former governor and now Cebu 3rd District Rep. Gwendolyn Garcia, said Davide.
Those who have worked for the province since Dec. 31, 2013 will only receive the P15,000.
The bonus does not include outsourced personnel who are mostly assigned in Cebu’s district and provincial hospitals.
This year, the province also scrapped the incentive scheme started during Davide’s first year called the Program on Awards and Incentives for Service Excellence (Praise).
Under the scheme, employees of the top five performing offices of the executive and legislative branches of the province together with the district hospitals will receive additional cash incentives of P1,000 to P3,000 each.
Celebration
The Capitol had a festive atmosphere yesterday with a number of employees sporting their neon-colored costumes for an 80s inspired dance competition held during the afternoon.
Dubbed “Sayaw sa Dekada 80,” teams from the executive and legislative branches took turns performing at the stage.
Employees who were not part of the presentations cheered for their colleagues.
Meanwhile, members of the Cebu Provincial Board (PB) led by Cebu Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale and Capitol department heads with Davide’s wife, Jobella, also performed, much to the audience’s delight.
“Ako lang gisalo si Jun (Davide) because a pole dances better than him,” Jobella told reporters in jest.
In the morning, Msgr. Dennis Villarojo celebrated mass at the Social Hall.
Employees then return to their respective officers for a simple “salu-salo” of Filipino food.
At the Governor’s Office, lechon was served to guests who were mostly municipal mayors allied with the Liberal Party (LP).
During her speech, Magpale echoed Villarojo’s sermon who spoke about anniversary celebrations as a time of “renewal of commitment.”
Magpale promised to continue good governance and honesty at the Capitol’s helm.
“We reiterate our promise during the campaign. You will have an honest Capitol,” she said.
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