Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival has provided a crucial clarification regarding the upcoming financial assistance for the city's non-regular workforce. He confirmed that the amount to be released is officially designated as a gratuity pay and not a Christmas bonus. This distinction is mandated by national regulations which prohibit the granting of bonuses to non-permanent employees.
Eligibility and Tiered Payment Structure
The release of funds is governed by Administrative Order No. 39. Mayor Archival detailed a clear, service-based tier system for the gratuity pay. Casual and job order (JO) workers who have rendered at least four months of service up to December 15, 2025, will receive P7,000.
The city has also outlined provisions for those with shorter service periods:
- Employees with three months of service, but less than four, will be granted P6,000.
- Those who served for two months, but less than three, are allocated P5,000.
- Workers with less than two months of service will receive P4,000.
Recognition and Expedited Release
In his announcement, Mayor Archival emphasized the city government's recognition of the valuable contributions made by JO and Contract of Service (COS) personnel in public service delivery. He acknowledged that unlike regular employees, these workers do not receive benefits such as mid-year bonuses, year-end bonuses, or the Personnel Economic Relief Allowance (PERA).
To ensure the timely distribution of the highest tier amount, the mayor has directed the City Treasurer’s Office to source an additional P2,000 to complete the full P7,000 allocation. The directive mandates that the gratuity pay be released to all eligible workers before Christmas Day.
Legal Distinction and Worker Support
The mayor's clarification underscores a strict adherence to national policy while finding a lawful mechanism to provide tangible support to the city's auxiliary workforce. This move is seen as a practical response to both legal constraints and the economic needs of thousands of casual employees during the holiday season. The structured payout system aims to fairly compensate individuals based on their actual length of service within the current year.
