Bukidnon mulls P50K bonus for provincial employees

MALAYBALAY CITY – The provincial government of Bukidnon is eyeing PHP50,000 bonus for all its elected, regular and casual employees.

Governor Jose Ma. R. Zubiri Jr. on Tuesday said he has instructed Provincial Administrator Nestor Cajes to ask Malacañang for authority to release the hefty amount following President Rodrigo Duterte's decision to give the same amount to Palace workers.

“We are expecting to receive a reply of our letter this week,” Zubiri said, adding he was hoping that the request will be granted.

The governor said there was no problem with funding as the province has PHP1-billion surplus.

Should Malacañang grants the governor the authority, however, Board Member Oliver Owen Garcia said more than 1,000 Job Orders (JOs) may not be able to benefit from the planned PHP50,000 bonus.

Garcia said that per government auditing regulations, JOs are not entitled to 13th or 14th-month pay and other bonuses.

Provincial Budget Officer Fe Retuertas said they will ask guidance from the Commission on Audit regarding the plan. (PNA)