CSC, DBM reject retirement package for Baguio workers

BY DEXTER A SEE

BAGUIO CITY -- The Civil Service Commission and the Department of Budget and Management have disallowed incentives granted by the city government to retiring city employees in recognition of their invaluable service.

Although city council had approved an ordinance granting a P1,000 incentive for every year of service for retiring employees, Leticia Clemente, city budget officer, said the city finance committee could not authorize the release of funds for the purpose because the DBM and the CSC had ruled that under the “salamat, paalam” program of the national government, retiring government workers are to receive only token or plaques of appreciation.

Furthermore, cash benefits for retiring government workers are already incorporated into the retirement package given to them by the Government Service Insurance System.

The DBM said that the retirement package would not pass audit because it would be considered as excessive compensation.

The city council of this mountain resort city agreed to conduct a series of consultations with other agencies before they pass another measure that would grant incentives to city employees.

This is to avoid a similar incident in which the release of funds for incentives is withheld because of conflict between existing orders of government agencies and city ordinances.

Earlier, the city council approved an ordinance granting P1,000 for every year of service as incentive to retiring employees of the city government to serve as the city’s gesture of recognition of their service to the city.

It was learned that funds for such purpose are to be drawn from the general fund of the city and that the benefits would serve as an inspiration to the workers to deliver efficient public service to the residents.

The CSC had ruled that retirement benefits of employees are already provided for in the retirement package of the different government agencies.