Pres. Duterte grants PHP2,000 gratuity pay to JO, COS gov’t workers

President Rodrigo Duterte has approved the granting of one-time ‘gratuity pay’ to job order (JO) and contract of service (COS) workers in the government. (Photo: SIMEON CELI JR./Presidential Photo)

MANILA—President Rodrigo Duterte has approved the granting of one-time ‘gratuity pay’ to job order (JO) and contract of service (COS) workers in the government.

Under Administrative Order No. 02 signed by the President, all JO and COS workers who have rendered at least four months of ‘satisfactory service’ as of Dec. 15, 2016 and with effective contracts as of the same day at the national level will receive PHP2,000 each.

On the other hand, those who have rendered less than four months of satisfactory service and with also existing contracts will get PHP1,000 each.

“Granting of a year-end gratuity pay to these workers is a well-deserved recognition of their hard work,” stated in the administrative order distributed to the Palace media by the Office of Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea.

The Civil Service Commission (CSC) has recognized the practice of engaging the services of JO and COS but they do not enjoy benefits accorded to regular government employees such as mid-year and year-end bonuses, performance-based bonus, personnel economic relief allowance and other benefits.

The funds for the grant of gratuity pay shall be sourced from the maintenance and other operating expenses or MOOE allotment of the respective government agencies.

“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 generate from completed program, activity or project,” explained in the AO.

Local Government Units (LGUs) are encouraged to adopt the grant of Gratuity Pay to their respective JO and COS workers “utilizing appropriate and available funding sources.”