EMPLOYEES of the Dagupan City government can look forward to a bountiful Noche Buena on Christmas, following the Sangguniang Panlungsod’s approval of Resolution No. R-218, which endorses Supplemental Annual Investment Program (SAIP) No. 4 for Fiscal Year 2025, amounting to P20,142,034.42, to address urgent city programs and provide a one-time Service Recognition Incentive (SRI) and Gratuity Pay to workers this year.

The resolution is consistent with Administrative Order No. 40, signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on December 11, 2025, which authorizes a one-time SRI of up to P20,000 for permanent government employees and a gratuity pay of up to P7,000 for Job Order and Contract Workers.

The approved amount of P20,142,034.42, endorsed during a recent Local Development Council meeting led by Mayor Belen Fernandez, also includes Terminal Leave Benefits for retiring employees of the Dagupan City government.

Crafted by Councilor Jeslito Seen, the chairman of the Committee on Finance, Budget, and Appropriations, the resolution emphasizes that both permanent and job-order employees of the Dagupan City Government deserve this incentive for their unwavering dedication and commitment to serving the community, aligned with the mandates of the Katapatan ng Galing sa Unliserbisyo, Pamilya, and Puso at Progreso roadmaps.

City Budget Officer Jessa Royupa certified that the funding comes from savings in personnel services across various departments as of December 12, 2025.

In contrast, in 2023, when the former opposition-led council was in charge, the SRI and gratuity pay were not disbursed on time for Christmas, despite employees’ urgent appeals. This delay stemmed from a case filed regarding the delayed passage of the annual city budget while three majority members were away on vacation. The council ultimately approved the resolution for SRI and gratuity pay in March 2024, a full three months after Christmas. (Leonardo Micua)