LAMITAN CITY, Philippines – The local government of Lamitan has set aside a hefty ₱55,000 in Yuletide bonuses for each of its more than 500 employees — a move described as unusual across the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
BARMM officials and members of the 80-seat regional parliament confirmed on Tuesday, December 9, that Mayor Roderick Furigay’s office has begun releasing the incentives to workers across the city government.
The package includes the Service Recognition Incentive, Productivity Enhancement Incentive, and other cash benefits cleared by the city’s finance and budget offices, as well as the Commission on Audit.
Furigay, now on his second term, earlier announced the year-end bonus allocation last week.
Regional officials welcomed the initiative, saying it sets a strong precedent for other LGUs in BARMM.
BARMM Health Minister and parliament member Dr. Kadil Sinolinding Jr. said he was “happy” about the announcement, noting that City Health Office staff are among the beneficiaries.
“It’s a big boost for our frontliners in Lamitan City,” he said.
Lawyer Naguib Sinarimbo, also a parliament member and former BARMM local government minister, said the bonuses are expected to raise employee morale and improve public service delivery.
“In effect, it will encourage them to work harder in serving the Muslim and Christian communities across more than 40 barangays,” he said.
Lamitan City has consistently earned recognition for its governance practices. It has received six Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) awards from the Department of the Interior and Local Government in the past seven years, citing its performance in community services, environmental management, and peace and security programs.
The DILG confers the SGLG annually to top-performing municipal, city, and provincial governments nationwide.
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