Cebu City workers won’t get Charter Day incentive this year

Charter Day bonus off the table, says Archival

Employees of the Cebu City Government will not receive a Charter Day bonus this year, with Mayor Nestor Archival saying the city cannot justify releasing incentives amid budget constraints and unresolved audit issues.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, February 24, Archival said the long-standing question about the customary benefit has been settled.

“Wala gyud tay Charter Day bonus. Kinahanglan mo makasabot. Last two years gi-deny. Pabayron tanan empleyado sa ilang nadawat,” he said.

Archival explained that it would be misleading to claim the city has savings to fund the bonus when financial records show otherwise.

“Lisod kaayo akong pugson aron ingnon nga nakahatag ta, nga naa tay savings bisan wala. Ang mga tawo nga gitagaan ipabalik man gihapon, so what’s the use. Mao ra na atong punto,” he said.

During an earlier press conference on February 16, the mayor had already described the bonus as “unlikely,” citing fiscal limitations and the risk of audit findings.

He warned that releasing incentives without available savings could be flagged by the Commission on Audit, potentially resulting in a Notice of Suspension or Notice of Disallowance.

“If we cannot have savings, it’s difficult to have a bonus. If we push for it, then moabot ang suspension memo and notice of disallowance. Mabalik ra gihapon ang kwarta,” he said.

Recent audit reports showed that the city government posted a P91-million deficit from January to December 2025, further limiting its ability to fund additional expenditures.

Archival said state auditors had previously flagged and suspended Charter Day incentives due to insufficient funds and incomplete documentation. 

He also expects a Notice of Disallowance covering bonuses granted in 2023 and 2024, which could require recipients to refund the amounts if found to have been improperly released.

“Ang mga tao nga nakapirma, dili sila maka-retire unless ang tanan tao nga nakakuha sa bonus kay nakabayad,” he said. (LLP)