Retirees of Kalinga PLGU serving 30 years can get P100,000 cash incentives once BM Kitongan’s ordinance is approved

Tabuk City, Kalinga – Retirees of the Provincial Government of Kalinga may soon receive higher cash incentives for their years of service as the Sangguniang Panlalawigan recently approved on second reading a proposed amendment to Provincial Ordinance No. 2018-018, which seeks to increase incentives for uninterrupted and satisfactory service.

Authored by Board Member Emilio T. Kitongan, the proposed measure aims to update the long-standing policy on retirement rewards by adjusting the incentives to amounts more reflective of today’s economic conditions.

In an interview, Kitongan explained that Provincial Ordinance No. 2018-018 is an amendment to the earlier Ordinance No. 2006-003, which originally established the cash reward system for retirees of the Provincial Government of Kalinga in recognition of their loyalty, dedication, and faithful service to the public.

However, Kitongan noted that the current reward amounts (which he did not disclose) are now considered small, especially with the rising cost of living and the increasing prices of basic commodities.

Thus, the provincial legislator proposed a further amendment through the ordinance entitled, “An ordinance amending Provincial Ordinance No. 2018-018 by increasing the cash reward for uninterrupted and satisfactory service of PLGU retirees.”

“Ngumina nga ngumina ti magatang ket kayat na saoen bumasbassit met laeng ti gatad ti kuwarta, sunga dapat lang nga maincrease ti amount nga maawawat da,” Kitongan said in Ilocano.

Specifically, the proposed amendment seeks to increase the cash reward to P15,000 for retirees with 15 years of uninterrupted and satisfactory service, with an additional P8,500 per year for those who served 16 years and up. Meanwhile, retirees who rendered 30 years and above will be entitled to P100,000.

A copy of the ordinance obtained by Guru Press Cordillera from the board member states that funding for the increased cash reward will be included in the PLGU’s annual budget. Should there be any deficiency, additional amounts may be sourced from available funds as authorized by law.

The ordinance now moves to the third and final reading before the Provincial Board. Once adopted, it shall take effect after compliance with the posting and publication requirements prescribed under Section 59 of the Local Government Code of 1991 (RA 7160).