Cebu City's 956 workers unpaid for six months amid P84M wage crisis
Nearly 1,000 'job order' workers in Cebu City remain unpaid for six months, with salaries from October 2025 to March 2026 still outstanding. The total delayed wages have now reached an estimated P84 million, leaving employees in financial limbo. City officials have pointed to administrative delays as the main cause of the problem. The unpaid workers were hired under temporary contracts, but their salaries were held up due to late appointment submissions. According to official reports, the City Budget Office, City Accountant's Office, and City Treasurer's Office are responsible for the longest delays. The Human Resource Development Office (HRDO) clarified that it only prints payrolls and is not at fault for the hold-up.
Workers must submit several documents before payment processing, including birth certificates, NBI clearances, health certificates, and drug test results. The City Council must also review and approve hiring proposals under the 2026 Budget Ordinance, adding another layer to the process. With some employees waiting since October 2025, frustration has grown among those affected. In response, the City Council set a deadline of March 27, 2026, for the release of all pending salaries. A special meeting has been scheduled for April 7 to investigate the delays further and determine accountability among the responsible offices.
The delayed payments have left 956 workers without income for months, with the total unpaid amount now at P84 million. A formal review on April 7 will examine why the process stalled and which departments failed to meet their obligations. The outcome will determine whether corrective measures are needed to prevent future delays.
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