KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato — Job Order (JO) and Contract of Service (COS) workers of the Provincial Government of South Cotabato are set to receive a cash grant of up to P13,000 before the end of 2025, provincial officials announced, a move seen as a significant boost to the welfare of thousands of non-regular government workers in the province.
Provincial Administrator Atty. Renette B. Bergado confirmed that the financial assistance will be released once the required budgetary processes are completed. The cash grant will benefit JO and COS personnel who play a vital role in the day-to-day operations of the provincial government, particularly in frontline services and administrative support. According to Bergado, the P13,000 cash grant is composed of two separate allocations.
The first tranche, amounting to P7,000, will be sourced from an Executive Order issued by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., which authorizes the provision of financial assistance to government workers, including those under non-regular employment arrangements. The remaining P6,000 will come from the voluntary contribution of regular provincial government employees, reflecting what Bergado described as a collective gesture of solidarity and appreciation for the contributions of JO and COS workers.
“This assistance recognizes the hard work and dedication of our JO and COS personnel who continue to deliver public services despite the lack of permanent employment benefits,” Bergado said, adding that the provincial government remains committed to finding ways to support its workforce within existing legal frameworks.
Bergado also disclosed that the supplemental budget required for the release of the cash grant is currently being processed. It was submitted to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) yesterday for deliberation and approval. Provincial officials are optimistic that the SP will act promptly to ensure the immediate release of the funds.
“The provincial government is working to fast-track the necessary procedures so that the cash grant can be released without delay and within the year,” Bergado said. JO and COS workers are not considered regular employees and typically do not receive the same benefits enjoyed by permanent government staff, such as bonuses and allowances, the acting provincial administrator explained.
As a result, financial assistance programs like this are often welcomed as meaningful relief, especially amid rising living costs, she said. Several JO and COS workers, who requested anonymity, expressed gratitude for the announcement, saying the additional income would help them cover household expenses, school fees, and basic needs.
Many described the initiative as a morale booster and a sign that their contributions are being recognized by the provincial leadership. The provincial government of South Cotabato under the leadership of Governor Reynaldo S. Tamayo Jr., has previously implemented measures aimed at improving the welfare of its workforce, including skills training and institutional support programs.
The upcoming release of the P13,000 cash grant further underscores the administration’s efforts to promote inclusivity and shared responsibility among government workers. Once approved by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of South Cotabato is expected to issue guidelines on eligibility and the schedule of release to ensure an orderly and transparent distribution of the funds.
With the year drawing to a close, JO and COS workers across South Cotabato are now looking forward to receiving the much-anticipated financial assistance, which officials say will be released before the end of 2025.
