MANILA, Philippines?Employees of the Caloocan City government will have an early Christmas celebration this year following the recent release of their 13th month pay.

Some 3,000 employees received half of their Christmas bonus last week on top of a P2,500 cash gift from the city government.

Caloocan Mayor Recom Echiverri said in a statement that he ordered the early disbursement to assist employees who were affected by Tropical Storm ?Ondoy? (international codename: Ketsana).

In addition, he wanted to ensure that city government workers would have enough money to cope with expenses during the holiday season.

?They deserve to have their benefits early since most of them had been affected by the recent typhoons,? Echiverri said.

The 13th month pay, which is mandated under Presidential Decree No. 851, should be given to all rank-and-file employees, regardless of status, who have worked for at least one month. Beverly T. Natividad