The city government of Parañaque rewarded and gave instant promotion to an honest employee for returning P30,000 to a tax payer who left the money while settling her taxes at the City Hall on Nov. 17.

Helen Arellano, a job order employee of the City Environment and Natural Resources (CENRO), was recognized during the Monday flag-raising ceremony with a Certificate of Recognition, a cash reward, and instant promotion to casual employee with full benefits.

“We need more honest employees like Helen Arellano, and we would like her to be a role model and a good example to all our employees,” Mayor Eric Olivarez said during the simple awarding rites at the City Hall.

City Treasurer Dr. Anthony Pulmano also presented Arellano with a cash gift, while CENRO head Mark Besa awarded her with a Plaque of Recognition.

According to Basa, Arellano is assigned to the CENRO janitorial services division and detailed at the police clearance section where she found an envelope containing important documents and P30,000 cash.

The money and documents belonged to a woman from Barangay San Dionisio who was about to pay her Real Property Tax.

However, while processing her documents, she inadvertently left the envelope at the police clearance section and went home without noticing it.

Arellano found the envelope and promptly turned it over to Mr. Besa.

They were able to trace the owner through the documents inside the envelope.

Job order employees are only paid on a daily basis without any other benefits.

Olivarez said Arellano, who is now a casual employee, will be entitled to benefits like bonuses and 13th month pay, aside from a higher pay rate.