Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso released over P173 million in long-overdue terminal leave benefits to 260 retired city government employees, addressing backlogged payments that had been delayed for up to four years.

Speaking to retirees at Bulwagang Villegas, Domagoso acknowledged the prolonged delay in releasing the funds and said he moved to resolve the issue upon taking office.

“How would you feel if the city you worked for was the very one withholding what is rightfully yours?” Domagoso said.

The city distributed a total of P173,669,852 to 260 former workers based on their years of service, ranging from those with under 10 years of employment to individuals who served over four decades.

The largest group of recipients comprised 91 employees who served between 31 and 40 years, receiving a combined P83.2 million.

Another 24 employees with more than 40 years of service received a total of P43.4 million.

Domagoso cited that 80 percent of the recipients retired during his current term, while 20 percent had been waiting for payments carried over from previous city administrations.

He also recalled that during his first term, the city administration settled over P200 million in unpaid Government Service Insurance System contributions and accrued penalties to ensure retirees could access their pension benefits.

Domagoso pledged to streamline the process for future retirees, promising that terminal leave payments will be issued promptly once clearance requirements are completed.

“You worked hard and labored for this. You deserve this,” Domagoso told the retirees.

Meantime, Domagoso led the inauguration of the Senior Citizens Park and Community Pet Park in Pandacan on Wednesday morning, seven months after breaking ground on the site in January.

The nearly 1-hectare green space was developed as a joint initiative between the Manila city government, the Department of Budget and Management and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority.

Domagoso said the site had previously been a barren, dusty lot that posed health risks to local residents.

“Earlier, chairman Artes and I noticed that a senior citizen was already benefiting from the park, walking safely, probably exercising,” Domagoso said, citing he saw a resident using the grounds before the ceremony.

Domagoso thanked President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for supporting the development despite their past political differences.

“You set that aside, I set that aside,” Domagoso said. “He helped, having been elected president, while you returned me as mayor, with an obligation to Manila.”

Domagoso also credited Robinsons Land Corp. for its donations to the project and urged local barangay officials to help maintain and secure the facility.

Budget Secretary Kim Robert De Leon said the park was funded under the Local Government Support Fund’s “Green, Green, Green” program, calling it a demonstration of effective collaboration between national and local agencies.