Capitol employees get lower bonus this year

By: Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – The more than 3,000 regular and contractual employees of the Negros Occidental provincial government will get lower bonuses this year.

Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson announced during the Christmas Party of the provincial government Tuesday night at the SMX Convention Center here that the bonus for this year is P60,000 per employee, compared to P80,000 last year.

Lacson said the bonus will be sourced from the P323-million savings from Personal Services (PS), or the fund for the salaries and benefits of workers. But aside from the bonus, funds for the renovation of the Panaad Stadium will also be taken from the savings, thus the lower perks for employees this year.

The governor said the renovation of the Panaad Stadium will have to start next year because the provincial government has committed to host the Palarong Pambansa 2021.

Earlier, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said the current administration will prioritize three major areas in 2020.

During the recent Provincial Development Council meeting, Lacson said among his priorities next year is the renovation and repair of the Panaad Stadium, which will be the main venue of the Palarong Pambansa 2021.

The renovation works is estimated to cost P150 million.

“We want to have a better venue for the Palaro so we will give priority to the renovation of the Panaad Stadium because our facilities are already dilapidated,” Diaz said.