Duterte gives gov’t contractuals P5,000 gratuity pay

President Duterte —MALACAÑANG PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte issued on Wednesday an administrative order granting up to P5,000 cash as gratuity pay for contract of service (COS) and job order (JO) workers in the national government.

Under Administrative Order No. 46, the workers will receive P5,000 if they have worked in government for at least four months. Those employed for fewer than four months will get prorated amounts, ranging from P2,000 to P4,000.“Granting a year-end gratuity pay to COS and JO 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 of the government,” the President said.

He noted that during the pandemic, many COS and JO personnel were required to report for work in various arrangements and regardless of community quarantine and mobility restrictions, just to help ensure the continuous and responsive delivery of government services.

As they have no employer-employee relationship with the government, COS and JO workers do not enjoy benefits given to regular government employees such as personnel economic relief assistance, midyear and year-end bonuses, and performance bonus.

Covered by the order are COS and JO workers in all national government agencies, including state universities and colleges, government-owned and -controlled corporations, and local water districts.

Local governments are also enjoined to enact a similar measure to grant gratuity pay to their COS and JO workers.