Nueva Vizcaya shells out P31 million for Yuletide perks

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines – The provincial government has earmarked at least P31 million for the bonuses of its employees, who received as much as P30,000 each, said to be the biggest among provincial government workers in Cagayan Valley’s five provinces.

Provincial board member Efren Quiben, who heads the Sangguniang Panlalawigan’s appropriations committee, said the sum also covered the yearly cash gifts for heads of national government agencies here.

Based on the two approved appropriations ordinances, each permanent capitol employee, including department heads, received P20,000 as calamity assistance and an additional P10,000 as relief and rehabilitation assistance, or a total of P30,000.

The ordinances also allotted P10,000 each to casual and contractual employees, including heads of selected national government agencies “jointly implementing provincial concerns.”

“We were able to extend the amount without sacrificing or endangering the usual quality and prompt services, including development projects for our constituents. This was the result of sound fiscal management,” said Vice Gov. Jose Gambito, who heads the 13-member provincial board.

The Christmas bonuses are aside from other yearend perks legally received by government workers such as cash gifts, 13th month pay, clothing allowances and other extra Yuletide incentives.

In Isabela, permanent provincial employees each got P25,000; department heads, P35,000 each; and casual employees, P15,000 each, as Christmas bonuses.

The provincial government led by Gov. Grace Padaca also allocated P20,000 each for provincial school board teachers; P5,000 each for barangay chairmen; P1,000 each for councilmen; and P3,000 each for barangay health workers.

In Cagayan, Vice Gov. Leonides Fausto said permanent capitol employees were given P15,000 each, and contractual or job order workers, P3,000 to P6,000.