‘Additional bonus is guv’s call’

By: Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – Negros Occidental Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer said it is up to Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson to decide on the request of the  Progressive Alliance of Capitol Employees (PACE) for additional bonuses this year.

PACE earlier sent letters to governor and members of the provincial board regarding the additional yearend bonuses of employees.

“It is the governor’s call,” Ferrer told reporters here.

He also said that he will support the governor’s decision.

PACE vice president Renelo Lastierre said the union is asking for the release of its Collective Negotiation Agreement (CNA) bonus, Productivity Enhancement Incentive (PEI) and the Incentive Benefits for Exemplary Service (IBES) as additional bonuses.

Lastierre did not specify how much they are asking.

Last year, the provincial government under Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. gave P80,000 in additional yearend bonus to employees.

“We are hoping it will be more than last year but it will depend on the governor. We believe that the provincial government has funds for it and the Lacson administration looks after the welfare of the workers at the Capitol,” Lastierre said.

Earlier, Provincial Budget Officer Jose Percival Salado assured that there are available funds for the extra bonus of the Capitol officials and employees which will be sourced from the savings on Personnel Services.

But he explained that the amount could be determined once the December payroll has been prepared.

“So we will wait until the December payroll has been determined,” Salado added.