The executive branch is studying whether or not it can give gratuity pay to contractual workers in government in time for this year's holiday season.
This is according to Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles in a Viber message sent to Malacañang reporters Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 17.
"The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) is studying the matter based on the fund utilization of agencies," said Nograles, who is also the acting presidential spokesperson.
Before this, Nograles was asked to respond to the apparent clamor of government contractual workers for a P10,000 gratuity pay, like what their private sector counterparts are getting.
Contractual workers and job order (JO) workers are not entitled to mid-year and year-end bonuses, such as the 13th month pay, among other benefits.
Late last year, President Duterte signed Administrative Order No. 38, which granted contractual and JO workers a one-time gratuity pay of not more than P3,000.
The Philippines is still grappling with the effects of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, although it is now trying to be more lenient with protocols in order to spur more economic activity.