CEBU, Philippines —
Acting Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama announced on Monday, November 8, that a Christmas bonus for City Hall employees is underway, but it will not be released unless all employees are vaccinated against COVID-19.
“I am very serious. Dili nato i-release ang bonus kon dili mabakunahan ang wa kabakunahi. Unsa'y pasabot ana? Kita nga nabakunahan na, kombinsihon nato ang wa mabakunahi,” Rama said during his message to the employees after the flag raising ceremony.
The bonus will be subject to the approval of the City Council led by Acting Vice Mayor Donaldo Hontiveros.
Hontiveros and Councilors Raymond Alvin Garcia and Joel Garganera were present when Rama made the announcement.
“We have decided to follow Jesus. We will give you P20,000 bonus. I-discuss pa na sa Sanggunian,” Rama said.
In a press conference, Rama said part of his responsibility as acting mayor is to have all City Hall employees vaccinated to set an example, even to those outside of the city who are still having second thoughts about getting the COVID-19 vaccine.
“Now, we would like to bring everybody. Mao na nga I do not want to focus on whether there is a violation or what but we focus now on the thrust of the national government that with the advent of vaccines in our midst, we must show to the whole world, to this country, that the employees of the City of Cebu will set an example that we will all approximately should be fully vaccinated to help the city government attain 70 percent (herd immunity), especially on the requirement towards classifying us as level 1,” Rama said.
“Kanang mu-istorya ka’g dili pa pugsanay ang bakuna, whether you like it or not, mark my words, it is toward mandatory,” he added.
Rama clarified that giving a bonus is a prerogative of the city government.
“But, as I've said this morning (yesterday), no release of bonus until we can see all have been fully vaccinated. Mao nang katong mga fully vaccinated, ang among buhaton, mo-encourage gyud mi,” he said.
“Wala man na miingon dili madawat ang bonus. Dili ma-release ang bonus. Lahi na, ha… Dapat ang tanan empleyado sa City Hall is magpabakuna. Of course, that is setting a good example, being a government employee,” he added.
Rama said the proposed Christmas bonus is now in the hands of the City Council.
“I have already made the pronouncement in the presence of councilors this morning, let’s first bring this whole direction about bonus be received by the council and that direction be discussed at the same time,” Rama said yesterday.
The city already started vaccinating its pediatric population Monday, November 8. — JMO (FREEMAN)