Gwen: Incentives up for employees

CEBU, Philippines – On the celebration of the province’s 440th founding anniversary yesterday, Governor Gwendolyn Garcia was in a giving mood.

The governor announced an anniversary bonus of P3,000 per employee, plus additional cash incentives, which will be announced later for those from the top performing departments.

Capitol had a simple, but fun celebration for its employees yesterday.

The governor also announced an insurance package with the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) for all Capitol employees.

 The announcement was greeted with a resounding applause, but Garcia was also quick to joke that she hopes nobody would have to use the benefit that covers accidents and death.

“I hope you will not use it,” Garcia said, which drew laughter from the employees.  Capitol employees who will get sick can get a medical reimbursement of up to P50,000 aside from a daily subsidy of P500 for hospitalization up to 15 days.

Those from the top performing departments would even be getting more incentives from Capitol.    “Incentives will be given on the basis of performance,” Garcia said in her speech as she reminded the employees that they have to continue to perform their duties well.

The incentives will be finalized next week after determining which departments will receive P15,000 for outstanding performance; P10,000 for very satisfactory; and P5,000 for those that meet the satisfactory mark.

Employees of departments with zero or poor ratings will not get anything.

The governor also announced that the female employees of Capitol will also be given free anti-cervical immunization.    In her anniversary speech, Garcia reminded the employees that “being the number one (province) is a difficult role to sustain because once you reach the apex if you allow it, there is no way to go but to go down.”     Garcia challenged the employees to “maintain that position” and strive higher.

Selected inmates of the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC), who are now international stars because of their popular videos on YouTube, performed five dance numbers in front of the Capitol building as part of yesterday’s activities. 

The governor recalled that when she ordered that the inmates vacate the old provincial jail to move to the new facility in Kalunasan, there were a lot of complaints and opposition.

Today, Garcia said, the prison facility has become a source of pride for Cebu and the country.

Local and foreign tourists have added a stop at the CPDRC to witness the famous dancing inmates in the itinerary during visits to Cebu. —/NLQ (THE FREEMAN) –Garry B. Lao (The Freeman)