Negros Occidental provincial government employees and casuals will receive P55,000 each in additional bonuses this Christmas, Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson announced Friday night, Dec. 13.
The gratuity pay of job order and contract of service workers for Christmas has been increased from P5,000 to P7,000, the governor also announced at the employees Christmas party at the Capitol Lagoon and Park in Bacolod City.
The P55,000 additional bonus consist of the Collective Negotiation Agreement incentive of P30,000, Productivity Enhancement Incentive – P5,000, and Service Recognition Incentive – P20,000, Lacson said.
The same amount was also given last year.
Lacson called on the provincial government’s finance cluster to begin releasing the bonuses by Monday.
“Your dedication and support make my role as your governor truly fulfilling. I am very thankful for the opportunity to work alongside Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer and all of you in building a better and stronger Negros Occidental,” the governor told the provincial government employees in his speech at the Christmas party.
“Thank you for being my partners in this journey of service and for making every birthday spent with all you a truly meaningful one,” Lacson, who turned 65 on Friday, said.
The recent Mt. Kanlaon eruption has disrupted many lives and forced fellow Negrenses to evacuate from their homes, he also said.
“This situation calls for compassion and solidarity from all of us”, the governor said, noting that the Christmas party had been scaled back because of the disaster.
“While the usual festivities of our Christmas party may be scaled back, I hope we can find joy in the deeper meaning of this season. Let us celebrate with gratitude, generosity, and kindness, knowing that our shared efforts bring hope to others,” Lacson said.
“Let us not lose sight of the true essence of this celebration – the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. His coming into the world, in all its simplicity and humility, reminds us that the greatest gifts are not material things but the love, hope, and faith we carry in our hearts,” Lacson said.
The Progressive Alliance of Capitol Employees passed a resolution expressing full support for the governor for prioritizing the welfare of the provincial Capitol employees.*