“Kapag nagkakaroon po talaga sila ng anibersaryo ang isang ahensiya o isang departamento ng pamahalaan, meron po talagang instances na nagkakaroon, nagbibigay iyong what they call, ‘milestone anniversary bonuses,’ doon ho sa mga kawani. So hindi po ito unique sa DPWH,” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said at a press briefing.
In a speech during the DPWH’s 115th anniversary celebration Thursday, Aquino lauded the department for its “fast, honest and reliable” execution of the government’s infrastructure programs. He also announced that he has approved a P10,000 anniversary bonus for all DPWH employees and officials.
Valte expressed hope that other government agencies will understand the circumstances, in particular weather monitoring bureau PAGASA, which has been crying out for the government to release its much needed allowances.
“Hindi naman po sana ito maging dahilan ng kanilang inggitan. Iyong pagdating naman po sa hazard and longevity pay [ng PAGASA employees], in-explain din po ng Pangulo ‘yan kahapon na talagang pinapatignan kasi kung ano naman po iyong benefits na dapat due to them,” Valte said.
The government also appealed for patience from departments, in particular to teachers from the Department of Education, who have yet to receive their Performance Based Bonuses from 2012.
“Itatanong po natin sa DepEd kasi hindi po talaga sabay-sabay ang labas ng PBB, ng Performance-Based Bonus; depende po ‘yan sa nagiging compliance ng mga ahensiya doon sa mga requisitos,” Valte said, as she called out to all other agencies to complete their requirements as to facilitate the release of funds.
“Itatanong po natin sa inyong mga agency kung nakapag-comply na po sila doon sa mga requirements para mailabas na ho ‘yung PBB,” she said. — Patricia Denise Chiu/KBK, GMA News
