Cebu City starts releasing year-end bonus

Local

CEBU CITY Hall has started releasing the year-end bonus and ₱5,000 cash gift to qualified employees this week.

This is in line with the national government’s directive for the early distribution of benefits to public servants.

City Treasurer Emma Villarete confirmed in a text message on Thursday, Nov. 13, that the City began releasing the benefits on Wednesday, following Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Circular No. 2014-3 and Memo Ref. No. 141-11-2025 issued by the City Administrator.

“We are already releasing starting yesterday in accordance with DBM Circular No. 2014-3,” Villarete said. “Daghan na kaayo nga offices ang na-approved na, then naa sad karon [still ongoing].”

She explained that under DBM guidelines, the year-end bonus is equivalent to one month’s basic salary, while the cash gift amounts to ₱5,000. Only regular and casual employees are entitled to receive the benefit, consistent with civil service and budget rules.

“Year-end bonus man gud ang term ana sa DBM, mao sad na amo tawag in budgeting and release,” she added, clarifying that although often compared to the “13th-month pay” and “Christmas bonus” in the private sector, the year-end bonus is the government’s formal equivalent under the national budget framework.

Villarete said the distribution also aligns with Mayor Nestor Archival’s call to release the bonuses earlier to help employees recover from the effects of Typhoon Tino.

“The DBM circular provides the release, but it is also in time with the Mayor’s request for release due to the typhoon,” she said.

The Treasurer assured that the release would continue “until all entitled employees have received” their bonuses.

City Human Resource Development Office (HRDO) head Henry Tomalabcad confirmed in a separate message that the disbursement was ongoing, although his office has yet to finalize the total number of recipients as of Thursday.

He said that while regular and casual workers are entitled to the year-end bonus and cash gift, job-order (JO) employees will instead receive service premiums, as provided under existing labor policies.

The City HRDO, in a public statement earlier this week, expressed gratitude to Archival and the City Council for approving the weekly release of salaries for casual employees with at least 22 leave credits, effective November 2025, under Memo No. 2025-00793.

The agency said the measure demonstrates continued support for City Hall personnel amid the post-typhoon recovery efforts.

The early release follows the DBM’s Budget Circular 2024-3 which directs government agencies to grant the year-end bonus and ₱5,000 cash gift simultaneously with the first payroll of November.

The circular amended previous guidelines to address delays that “affect the morale, motivation, and satisfaction” of government workers.

In a related statement, the Department of Labor and Employment- Central Visayas (Dole-7) encouraged private employers to follow suit by advancing the 13th-month pay and bonuses to help workers affected by recent calamities.

Regional Director Atty. Roy Buenafe said DOLE supports the granting of disaster leave, hazard leave, or financial assistance whenever company resources permit, to “alleviate the adverse impact of calamities in workers’ daily lives.”

Archival earlier ordered a financial assessment to ensure sufficient fiscal capacity for early bonus releases, following the city’s earlier distribution of senior citizen aid and barangay assistance funds.

He said the goal was to balance the city’s financial obligations while providing timely support to employees.

“If resources allow, we will do our part for our employees,” Archival said. “This is a time for compassion and solidarity.”(MyTVCebu)