The Mandaue City Council has approved on first reading a proposed ordinance that would increase the daily honorarium of Job Order (JO) workers from P435 to P450 and the monthly honorarium of Clean and Green Program personnel from P4,500 to P4,800, effective July 1, 2026.
Proposed adjustments
The measure, authored by Councilor Joel Seno, chairman of the committee on appropriations, budget and finance, seeks to provide a P15 increase per day for JO workers and an additional P300 per month for Clean and Green personnel. This marks the first compensation adjustment for these city-paid workers in over two years.
According to Seno, the last honorarium adjustment was implemented more than two years ago, making the proposed increase a long-overdue measure to recognize the contributions of these workers to the city government.
Inflation context
Seno said the proposed increase helps city workers cope with the rising cost of living and the continued impact of inflation. Government data show that inflation averaged 3.2 percent in 2024 and 1.7 percent in 2025. As of May 2026, inflation has averaged 4.5 percent, further increasing the financial burden on workers and their families.
Under the proposal, the increase for JO workers amounts to approximately 3.4 percent, while the increase for Clean and Green personnel is about 6.6 percent.
Worker schedules and impact
Seno explained that all JO workers receive the same daily honorarium, although their total monthly earnings differ depending on the number of days they must work. “Some render service for 20 days, others for 24 days, while some work for 30 days, depending on the exigencies of the service,” he said.
The ordinance has passed its first reading, and city officials are working to fast-track the remaining legislative process so the new honorarium rates take effect July 1. If approved on final reading, the measure is expected to provide much-needed financial relief to thousands of city-paid workers who have been waiting years for an increase in their honoraria.
Long-overdue measure
Seno described the proposal as “long overdue,” saying the city government recognizes the vital role JO workers and Clean and Green personnel play in delivering public services and maintaining the cleanliness and day-to-day operations of Mandaue City.
