Duterte approves gratuity pay for job order, contractual gov't workers

President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday approved the release of gratuity pay for job order and contract of service workers in government in recognition of their services this year amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Under Administrative Order 38, all job order and contractual workers who have rendered at least four months of “satisfactory performance of services” as of December 15, 2020 may receive a gratuity pay not exceeding P3,000 each.

The gratuity pay for those who have rendered less than four months of service is as follows: not exceeding P2,000 (3 months or more but less than 4 months); not exceeding P1,500 (2 months or more but less than 3 months); and not exceeding P1,000 (less than 2 months).

Covered by the order are those employed by the national government agencies, state universities and colleges, government-owned or-controlled corporations and local water districts.

Duterte encouraged local government units to provide gratuity pay to these workers.

“Granting a year-end gratuity pay to COS [contract of service] and JO [job order] workers is a well-deserved recognition of their hard work in implementing programs, projects and activities, including those which are part of the emergency COVID-19 response efforts of the government," the AO stated.

In case of deficiency, the agencies may request the Department of Budget and Management for additional funds charged against the identified savings of such agencies, subject to the approval of the President.

Last week, the President approved the release of funds to cover the service recognition incentive of up to P10,000 for regular, contractual or casual employees. -NB, GMA News