The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Board of Directors has approved ancillary benefits for Contract of Service (COS) and Job Order (JO) employees, including a five-day paid wellness leave, in line with the Civil Service Commission (CSC) and CSC-COA-DBM regulations.
SBMA Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño said the five-day wellness leave, effective January 1, 2026, supports the government’s goal of promoting mental and physical well-being. Employees may use up to three consecutive days of wellness leave, separate from existing vacation or sick leave entitlements.
The approval came through Board Resolution No. 26-01-1655 on January 27, 2026, following Joint Circular No. 1, Series of 2025 issued by the CSC, Commission on Audit (COA), and Department of Budget and Management (DBM).
Under the circular, government COS and JO employees are entitled to ancillary benefits including:
- Overtime pay (per CSC-DBM JC No. 2, s. 2015)
- Reimbursement for authorized local travel
- Potential 20% premium on daily pay, subject to fund availability and contract terms
- Compensatory Time Off (CTO)
- Flexible Working Arrangements (FWA)
Aliño emphasized that these benefits aim to empower COS and JO employees to meet service demands, especially when extended work hours or mobility beyond official stations are required to ensure continuity of SBMA operations.
Additionally, COS and JO workers may receive a year-end gratuity of up to ₱7,000 for 2024, depending on length of service.
The SBMA employs 631 COS and 230 JO personnel as of December 31, 2025.
These benefits align with broader public sector practices, including in national government agencies, state universities and colleges (SUCs), and government-owned or controlled corporations (GOCCs), and are designed to enhance productivity, work-life balance, and operational continuity.
