BONTOC, Mountain Province – For the first time, qualified provincial government employees may expect to receive additional cash incentives through the collective negotiation agreement (CNA) by December.
Gov. Bonifacio C. Lawasan Jr. made the announcement recently. “We will give what is due to employees provided that there is enough savings,” he said.
The CNA incentive may be granted to both management and rank-and-file employees of agencies with approved and successfully implemented CNAs in recognition of their efforts in accomplishing performance targets at lesser cost and in attaining more efficient and viable operations through cost-cutting measures and systems improvement.
Based on the CNA, which was ratified by the management composed of office heads and the Mountain Province Provincial Government Employees Union (MPPGEU) officers representing the rank-in-file employees; all regular employees and elected officials of the provincial government are entitled to receive cash incentive provided that all documents required in the Department of Budget Management guidelines are complied with.
Among the benefits to be granted are cash incentive of not more than P25,000 by the end of the year, free annual medical and dental examination in the provincial government operated hospitals; and appropriation of funds for the purchase of boots, raincoats, hazard hats, and gloves to all construction and maintenance men working in the provincial roads every three years.
The review and amendments of the implementing rules and regulations of the Retirement and Mortuary Assistance Program were also included in the CNA.
The union will also be represented in the provincial government such as in the Provincial Selection Board and Grievance Committee.
The rank-in-file and management agreed to undertake measures without sacrificing the attainment of quality services and targets such as putting off all lights and other utilities when not in use; prioritizing trainings conducted within the municipality and minimize attendance to trainings conducted outside the province; reuse of office supplies; minimize the use of cell cards/mobile loads; and avoid the use of internet when it is not work related.
The management has been urged to grant cash incentives last year, but it was not realized due to lack of legal basis such as the bargaining agreement and other pertinent documents.
The employees union headed by Supervising Tourism Officer Roger U. Sacyaten thanked the governor for favorably acting on the request of the employees. – Alfred Macalling
April 26, 2024
