Malacañang: “Dahil discretionary ang Christmas bonus, pwede po gamitin ‘yan bilang incentive”
Here’s what Malacañang said about Cebu City Hall’s “no vaccine, no Christmas bonus” scheme as announced by acting Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama.
During the Presidential press briefing on Tuesday, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said that he sees nothing wrong with Cebu City Hall’s “no vaccine, no Christmas bonus” scheme.
“Wala po akong nakikitang pagkakamali diyan dahil Christmas bonus naman ang pinaguusapan,” Roque said. “Hindi naman po requirement ng batas ang magbigay ng Christmas bonus.“
The Palace spokesman also said that because the Christmas bonus was discretionary, it can be used as an incentive.
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Roque’s statement came after acting Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama announced on Monday that Cebu City Hall employees will receive a PHP 20,000 Christmas bonus this year — but only if all of them have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
“Bonus will be granted for all… But as I’ve said…no release of bonus unless all have been fully vaccinated,” Rama said.
The acting Cebu City mayor explained that there’s a need for such policy in order to set themselves as an example for their citizens as government employees. Cebu City’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) head Cebu City Councilor Joel Garganera supported Rama’s new directive.
According to Rama, the Christmas bonus was on top of the 13-month pay and was a prerogative of the city government to grant or not to grant.
Rama noted that this was also seen to further boost the local government’s COVID-19 vaccination program that’s still around 40 percent of the target population.
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