Gratuity pay among JOs, COS workers okayed
Marcos called on local government units to adopt in their respective offices the grant of gratuity pay to their COS and JO workers.
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Marcos called on local government units to adopt in their respective offices the grant of gratuity pay to their COS and JO workers.
President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has approved the grant of gratuity pay for the contract of service and job order employees in government in recognition of their hard work.
In a statement on Friday evening, Malacañang announced that the President issued Administrative Order No. 3, which applies to all workers in government whose services are engaged through COS and JO, who have rendered a total or an aggregate of at least four months of actual satisfactory performance of service, as of 15 December 2022.
The AO, which was issued upon the recommendation of the Department of Budget and Management, takes effect immediately.
The gratuity pay aims to give COS and JO workers a well-deserved recognition of their hard work and participation in the timely, effective, and efficient implementation of various programs, projects and activities of the government.
Also covered are those whose contracts are still effective as of the same date. They will be granted a one-time gratuity pay not exceeding P5,000.
"Granting a year-end gratuity pay to COS and JO workers is a well-deserved recognition of their hard work in implementing programs, projects and activities and pivotal role in the delivery of government services amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and present socio-economic challenge," the President's AO read.
Meanwhile, for those who have rendered less than four months of actual satisfactory performance of service, the President said they may be granted a one-time gratuity pay on a pro-rata basis: An amount not exceeding P4,000 for three months but less than four months.
Those who have rendered two months but less than three months will receive an amount not exceeding P3,000, while those who have rendered less than two months will receive an amount not exceeding P2,000.
The order also covers workers whose services are directly engaged through COS and JO by national government agencies, state universities and colleges, government-owned and controlled corporations, and local water districts.
Marcos called on local government units to adopt in their respective offices the grant of gratuity pay to their COS and JO workers.
For funds needed to implement the grant of the one-time gratuity pay, it shall be chargeable against the following sources:
For NGAs and SUCs, funds are to be charged against their respective available Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses allotment for the same program, activity or project where the compensation of workers engaged through COS and JO is sourced. In case of deficiency, the agencies may modify the allotment issued within a P/A/P subject to approval by the Agency Head or the DBM.
For GOCCs and LWDs, funds shall be charged against their respective approved corporate operating budgets.
"We are grateful to the President for this holiday gift to our government workers, especially our COS and JO personnel. This goes to show that we have a government that truly understands the plight of our fellow Filipinos. Sa gobyernong ito, walang maiiwan," DBM Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman said.
All about love
Considering the gratuities as his gift to public servants, Marcos said the true essence of Christmas Day is "love."
On his first Christmas as President of the Philippines, Marcos and his family will celebrate the holiday in the Malacañang Palace, according to Press Undersecretary Cheloy Garafil.
Greeting Filipinos on this very special holiday, Marcos wished them "a Christmas full of love, compassion and hopeful beginnings."
He encouraged them to "freely offer our smiles, share conversation, or impart wisdom to our peers, our loved ones, and even strangers."
"Let our affection be known and felt in the simplest of ways so that the eternal message of the Nativity of Christ may again spark hope for a brighter future in the hearts of all," Marcos said.
The Chief Executive said while the story of the birth of Jesus Christ has become an integral part of our culture, it is imperative that understand that Christmas represents love.
