Iloilo City’s regular, job-hire workers to receive year-end incentives

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

Just in time for the holiday season, regular and job-hire employees of the Iloilo City government are set to receive year-end financial incentives in recognition of their service and dedication over the past year.

In a special session on Friday, Dec. 19, the City Council approved Supplemental Budget No. 5 amounting to PHP 119,947,939.17, sourced from the city’s personal services account.

City Budget Officer Viminale Capulso said the budget includes PHP 117,641,939.17 for the general fund and PHP 2.306 million for the local economic enterprise.

A portion of the funds will be allocated to the taxable Service Recognition Incentive (SRI) for qualified regular employees, amounting to PHP 20,000 each. A total of 2,247 permanent employees are expected to benefit.

Meanwhile, Contract of Service (COS) and Job Order (JO) workers will receive a one-time gratuity payment of PHP 7,000.

COS and JO personnel qualify if they render satisfactory service. Only those still employed as of Dec. 15, 2025, will receive the full amount, payable from agency savings and exempt from tax.

Those who have rendered fewer months of service will receive prorated amounts based on the number of months served.

“It is an incentive for their performance and hard work in the past 12 months. Actually, it is very minimal compared to their effort, but at least we have an incentive for our employees,” Capulso said.

The city government has allocated PHP 44.9 million for the SRI and PHP 53.2 million for gratuity payments in the supplemental budget.

Capulso noted it is uncertain whether the incentives can be released before Christmas, as the appropriation ordinance still requires the mayor’s approval and banks will only operate until Dec. 26.

“The finance offices will have to go on more overtime to ensure that it will be released, but all of it would still depend on how fast the payroll maker [can process] […] We only have three working days. But the treasurer, accounting, and the budget office will have to do overtime until the weekend to accommodate it,” she emphasized.

Regular employees are also set to receive their Collective Negotiation Agreement (CNA) incentive, with taxable shares of up to PHP 30,000, which began distribution on Monday, Dec. 15.

Capulso added that regular employees will also receive a PHP 5,000 non-taxable Productivity Enhancement Incentive, which was already included in the 2025 annual budget.