Cebu Council approves P322-million supplemental budget

Local

THE Cebu City Council has approved a P322.8 million supplementary budget (SB) to boost year-end bonuses and implement salary increases for city hall employees and barangay workers.

In its regular session, the council unanimously passed SB 3, an allocation that includes a P25,000 bonus for regular city hall employees, cash assistance for barangay workers, and the implementation of the first tranche of salary hikes mandated by Executive Order (EO) 64 issued by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

This decision follows similar adjustments made in 2023 when regular and casual city hall employees received P20,000 each, while job order personnel were given P5,000.

Initially, then-Mayor Michael Rama proposed higher bonuses of P35,000 for regular employees and P10,000 for job order workers, but the council reduced these amounts to align with national guidelines.

The revised bonus scheme complied with a directive from the national government to standardize payouts across local government units (LGUs). The approved bonuses were distributed in December 2023.

A significant portion of SB3 is allocated for the first of four planned salary increases for city hall employees under EO 64.

Issued in August, this executive order outlines a phased schedule of salary hikes for government workers over four years, concluding in 2027. It aims to enhance compensation while considering the financial capabilities of LGUs.

According to EO 64, LGUs must authorize wage increases through their legislative bodies, with the percentage adjustment based on the classification and financial strength of the LGU. First-class cities like Cebu are authorized to grant the full 100 percent salary adjustment, while second- and third-class cities can implement 95 percent and 90 percent, respectively.

The new salary scale applies to all civilian government personnel across the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, including those in constitutional offices and LGUs, regardless of their status—be it regular, contractual, casual, appointive, or elective.

As of December 2023, Cebu City’s workforce comprised 7,844 employees, according to the Commission on Audit. This included 1,334 plantilla or permanent positions, 3,172 casual employees, and 3,338 job order workers, highlighting the importance of consistent incentives and salary adjustments to maintain morale and productivity.

The approved budget also includes a P5,000 cash incentive for qualified job order personnel, addressing the financial needs of temporary workers who typically receive fewer benefits than their regular counterparts. Barangay workers, such as watchmen and health personnel, will also receive a one-time cash assistance of P5,000.(MyTVCebu)