City hall is in a very generous mood these days when it promises officials and employees a Christmas bonanza in the vicinity of P70,000 each. Considered the envy of other workers from local government units, the city hall windfall is considered the richest so far in the history of Yuletide dole-outs. The benefits will be released in time for Christmas. This came following the approval of supplementary budget no. 3, amounting to P101,147,756.81 by the Sangguniang Panlungsod last week as endorsed by City Mayor Dan Neri-Lim, according to City Budget Officer Rose Palma.  Recipients of the windfall also include city employees who are currently on job order and plantilla casual workers but not as much as what elective officials and career workers deserve to receive, Palma was quoted as saying.  The windfall is distinct from the usual bonus in the form of 13th-month pay equivalent to one month salary, depending on the salary grade and cash gifts.

 The bulk of the supplemental budget in the amount of P40,881,863 will be used to augment the on-going road rehabilitation of 12 road sections. Palma also said that some P92 million for road repair and the on-going concreting was mainly sourced out from local funds.  It also includes the increase of the honorarium of the “purok tanods” “barangay health workers” and Christmas gift of P1,000 to each of the city’s senior citizens.  The amount of P14 million from the same supplemental budget will be used for the development of an area for residual waste site following the closure of the existing dumpsite, according to a report of City Councilor Nereo Zamora III.  Reports said that Mayor Lim expressed gratitude to the city council chaired by Vice-Mayor Jas Tirol-Montes for the passage of the appropriation measure to fulfill the city’s commitment for more development in infrastructure, personnel services and social services a reality. The source of the funds comes from the 20 percent development fund surplus and savings from salary of unfilled positions.