Duterte OKs P10,000 incentives for civil workers

PRESIDENT DUTERTE has signed an administrative order giving each government worker P10,000 as a one-time incentive this Yuletide season.

Calling it a service incentive reward, Duterte’s order said “the government continues to acknowledge all public servants for their collective and unceasing participation in and invaluable contribution to the establishment of streamlined government processes and responsive delivery of services to the public, especially in the midst of the prevailing public health emergency due to the Covid-19 pandemic.”

The Administrative Order No. 45, which was signed on December 24, also said that it is imperative to provide reasonable incentives and assistance to public servants, who are impacted not only by the pandemic but also by various natural calamities.

Under the order, the incentive will be received by civilian personnel in national government agencies, including those in state universities and colleges and government-owned or controlled corporations, occupying regular, contractual or casual positions.

Also included in the incentive are military and police personnel, members of the Bureau of Fire Protection, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, the Bureau of Corrections, the Philippine Coast Guard and the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority.

The order also grants incentives to civilian personnel who are still in government service as of November 30. And government workers who have rendered at least four months of satisfactory service as of November 30, inclusive of services rendered under any of the alternative work arrangements prescribed by the Civil Service Commission.

Employees who have rendered less than four months will be entitled to a 40% prorated share of the incentive while those who have been working in the government for less than three months will get a 30% prorated share.

Those who are hired in the government for less than two months and one month will take home 20% and 10%, respectively, of the prorated share of the cash bonus. The one-time incentive will also be granted to employees who have not received any additional year-end benefit this year.

But Duterte’s order excluded consultants and experts who are engaged for a limited period to perform specific activities or services with expected outputs; laborers engaged through job contracts and those paid on a piecework basis; student workers and apprentices; and individuals and groups of people whose services are engaged through job orders, contracts of service or others with similar work schemes.

Employees of the Senate, House of Representatives, Judiciary, Office of the Ombudsman and Constitutional Offices vested with fiscal autonomy may likewise be granted the incentive.

Local government employees including those in the barangays may also receive the incentive as determined by their respective city or municipal council depending on their financial capability. The incentive may also be granted to employees of local water districts as determined by their Boards of Directors. (Azer Parrocha and Mindanao Examiner)