By Dolly Yasa
BACOLOD City – Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said the additional bonus for capitol employees remains uncertain.
“But we are finding ways to do it. By next week probably we have an idea already how much savings we have and from then on we will make our decision,” Lacson told reporters Wednesday.
He pointed out that what is clear is that the Commission on Audit “has constantly disallowed our excess in the salary cap.”
Lacson also said that “in this administration, we would like to do something different we would like to not violate the salary cap, that is how we are being guided.”
The capitol employees have started receiving their P5,000 cash gift and 14th-month pay which is equivalent to a month’s salary.
Earlier, Lacson said there is no additional bonus for capitol employees due to the coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19 pandemic.
However, the capitol employees through Renelo Lastierre, president of the Progressive Alliance of Capitol Employees, appealed to the governor for the additional bonus.
Capitol workers received P60,000 in additional bonus in 2019.
Meanwhile, Lacson thanked Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer and members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan for the prompt passage of the P4.4-billion 2021 budget of the provincial government.
“I am proud of this budget simply because our offices will not have to wait for the supplemental budget, where practically 100 percent of their needs are in the MOOE (Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses),” Lacson said.
He added that “we are within the salary cap so I’m expecting COA will not have an adverse opinion by the end of 2021.”
The governor further said that “I am also excited to start implementing the projects. We have over P200 million for road projects.”
He said he asked Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz to hasten the bidding “so that hopefully by the first quarter of next year these will be awarded at the same time maka-start na. We would like to hasten the implementation of the projects and not wait for the 3rd quarter.”
