Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso on Saturday welcomed the issuance of Administrative Order 39, which authorizes a one-time gratuity pay of up to P7,000 for Job Order (JO) and Contract of Service (CoS) workers in government.

Domagoso said he earlier raised the need to fast-track the issuance of the order during President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s visit to Baseco on 27 November, citing its immediate impact on thousands of JO and CoS workers.

He noted that Manila, like other local government units, employs JO and CoS personnel, many of whom serve as street sweepers, traffic aides, and frontline support staff. The city has around 7,000 JO workers.

“This will be a big help to our JO and CoS workers, especially those who quietly keep our city running every day,” Domagoso said. “Thank you to President Marcos and Executive Secretary [Ralph] Recto for acting quickly on this, because many of them rely on this support, especially during the holiday season.”

Under Administrative Order 39, JO and CoS workers who have rendered at least four months of satisfactory service by 15 December, 2025 may receive the full P7,000 gratuity pay, while those with shorter service will receive prorated amounts.

The order covers workers in national government agencies, state universities and colleges, government-owned or -controlled corporations, and local water districts.

It also encourages local government units to adopt similar gratuity schemes using local funds.