(File Photo)

QUEZON CITY, (PIA) – An initial allocation of P16.95 billion has been earmarked in the proposed 2024 national budget to implement the enhanced compensation packages for government employees. 

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) made the provision under the Miscellaneous Personnel Benefits Fund of the National Expenditure Program (NEP). 

Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman announced on Wednesday, August 16, the salary increment intended for the empowerment of the public sector will be possibly implemented starting next fiscal year following the comprehensive review of the Compensation and Position Classification System.

The DBM earlier bared that P48 million was sourced from the 2023 budget appropriations of the Governance Commission for GOCCs (GCG) to fund a specialist services group who will conduct the review. 

“The final cost requirement [of the increase] shall be determined once the results of the study have been presented and finalized,” said Secretary Pangandaman. 

The budget department reiterated the significance of ensuring the competitive remuneration of civilian government personnel towards the effective delivery of services to the general public clientele. 

“Ito po ay para ma-encourage ang ating mga kababayan na pumasok sa gobyerno, at para na rin po ma-motivate ang ating mga existing employees na manatili sa gobyerno at mag-perform ng masipag at maayos (This is to encourage our fellow Filipinos to work in the government as well as motivate the existing employees to stay in the government service and to perform effectively),” said Pangandaman.

In January 2023, the last tranche of salary increase has already been implemented based on the designated step increments according to the salary schedule that was stipulated in Republic Act 11466 or the Salary Standardization Law of 2019, s. 2020.

Previously, it can be recalled that the DBM has allocated P1.368 billion in the final proposed NEP to fund the P1,000 increase in the uniform allowance of over 1.3 million government employees aside from conducting a parallel review of their existing benefits to determine the need for certain adjustments.

To date, the House Committee on Appropriations has embarked on the scrutiny of the P5.768 trillion proposed national expenditure for 2024. 

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives is targeting to render its approval of the 2024 NEP on or before September 30, 2023, during the third and final reading of the allocation directions. (DBM/PIA-NCR)