Yearend bonus out before polls

CEBU, Philippines - A week before the elections, employees of the Cebu City Hall will start receiving half of their yearend bonus.

City administrator Francisco “Bimbo” Fernandez said opposition candidates may use the issue to accuse the administration of vote buying.

He clarified that the move is in accordance with the provisions of the Department of Budget and Management circular.

Mayor Tomas Osmeña, in a memorandum addressed to Fernandez and Human Resource Development Officer Ralph Sevilla, said the early release of the bonus is pursuant to the provisions of Section 4.1.2. of the Department of Budget and Management Circular No. 2005-6 the dated Oct. 28, 2005.

“You are hereby authorized and directed to release the one-half of the yearend bonus of the city government personnel starting May 3, 2010,” Osmeña’s memorandum said.

In order for employees to receive the bonus on time, the mayor ordered the expeditious processing of the payroll of each department.

“The city budget officer, city accountant and city treasurer are likewise enjoined to give due course to the processing of the documents,” Osmeña said in his memorandum.

The City Hall has over 5,000 employees who entitled to receive their yearend bonus.

As mandated in Budget Circular No. 2005-6, the other half of the yearend bonus would be given towards the end of the year - from late November to early December.

The yearend bonus is equivalent to one month basic salary plus an additional cash gift from the government.

It also covered contractual government workers who perform the functions of regular employees.

Two weeks ago, the City Hall distributed P4,000 cash assistance to each of about 30,000 senior citizens in the city.

Osmeña admitted that the granting of cash assistance to the senior citizens is a “kind of politicking,” but explained that it is aimed at helping those who need medical assistance. — Jessica Ann Pareja/WAB (THE FREEMAN)