The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of Negros Occidental approved the appropriation for the additional bonus of PHP60,000 each for officials and employees of the provincial government.

First District Board Member Rommel Debulgado, who chairs the committee on finance, said during their regular session that 3,197 permanent and casual employees will receive the extra bonus.

The Provincial Board passed the resolution authorizing the grant of the Incentive Benefit for Exemplary Services (IBES) to all officials and employees in the amount of PHP55,000 each to be sourced from the Personal Services savings.

The remaining PHP5,000 will be added as a Performance Enhancement Incentive (PEI).

The total amount to be disbursed has not been stated yet during the approval of the resolution.

On Tuesday night, Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson announced the grant of the PHP60,000 additional bonus during the Christmas party of the Capitol employees held at the SMX Convention Center here.

Lacson said the provincial government has total savings amounting to PHP323 million in 2019, which was the source of the fund for the extra bonus.

Of the amount, a total of PHP150 million will be used to fund the rehabilitation of the Panaad Park and Stadium ahead of the province’s hosting of the Palarong Pambansa in 2021.

Last week, the Bacolod City Council also approved the appropriation for the added bonus of about 1,300 employees at PHP40,000 each.

The amount includes the PHP25,000 as Collective Negotiation Agreement Incentive (CNAI) and the PHP5,000 as PEI.

The PEI, which is based on Budget Circular No. 2017-4, is given to regular, contractual, casual, appointive, and elective personnel.
The Service Recognition Incentive (SRI) of PHP10,000, which is granted under Administrative Order No. 19, will also be given to regular, contractual, casual, appointive, and elective personnel, including those under the barangay offices, by December 20. (PNA)