Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan announced that they may start giving the 13th month pay and other Christmas incentives to 10,000 regular employees working in the Manila city government, as reported to her by City Treasurer Jasmin Talegon.
The mayor urged the employees to spend their money wisely and be thankful that they have a steady source of income unlike many others, citing the case of those currently in the evacuation centers due to typhoon Pepito.
"Isipin nating mabuti kung saan natin gugugulin ang tinatanggap nating biyaya. Napakahirap po talaga ng buhay ngayon. 'Yan po ay napatunayan ko kahapon nung ako ay naglilibot sa mga evacuation centers ng mga kababayan nating evacuees. Kaya masuwerte pa rin po tayo, meron po tayong mga permanenteng trabaho, meron po tayong pinagkukuhanan ng iuuwi natin sa aitng mga pamilya (Let's think carefully about where we will spend the blessings we receive. Life is really difficult today. I proved that yesterday when I was touring the evacuation centers of our fellow Manileños. That's why we are still lucky, we have permanent jobs, we have sources of income to take home to our families)," she said.
The mayor said the employees can give back by giving their all-in performance in their assigned duties and responsibilities, noting that those who are less privileged rely on their government to help them in whatever way possible.
"Kaya po pakiusap ko lang po, mahalin natin ang ating gawain, maglingkod tayo ng tapat at totoo nang sa gayon naman po ay maramdaman din ng ating mga kababayan, lalo na po yung mga hirap sa kanilang buhay, na meron po silang isang pamahalaan na tunay na nagkakalinga sa kanila (So I just ask you, let us love our work, let us serve honestly and truthfully so that our countrymen, especially those who are struggling in their lives, can feel that they have a government that truly cares for them)," the lady mayor said.
Meanwhile, she commended the Manila Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (MDRRMO) headed by Arnel Angeles for spending their weekend preparing for typhoon Pepito.