DAVAO CITY—Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio gave 69 model retirees P20,000 each as a reward for their years of service to the city.
Duterte said some of the retirees served for 44 years.
The cash incentive was on top of the P20,000 cash given to those who served the city for 40 years, P15,000 for those who served for at least 30 years, P10,000 for those who served at least 20 years, and P5,000 for those who served at least 10 years.
A message read by the Duterte’s chief of staff, lawyer Raul Nadela Jr. emphasized that the city government has become a “fine, well-oiled machine” because of the 69 retirees’ contribution of “time, talents, and energy devoted to the performance of their respective tasks.”
Before the awarding program in Grand Men Seng Hotel, the model retirees were also recognized by local employees in a short program in front of the City Hall.
Civil Service Commission Regional Director Annabelle Rosell said the retirees are “just retiring from government service and not from life.”
“They should continue to live a healthy life and be active in the community,” said Rosell.
Liwayway Caligdong, who worked with the Davao City Social Services and Development Office for the past 24 years, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve the Dabawenyos.
Caligdong said she was happy and proud to be working with a local government that truly “gives prime importance to the people.”