MANILA — Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has allotted a total of P16.9 billion for government workers’ salary hike in the proposed 2024 National Expenditure Program (NEP).
DBM said the proposed salary increase will be in increments (one step at a time) under the provisions of the Miscellaneous Personnel Benefits Fund (MPBF).
“We have allotted P16.95 Billion in the FY (Fiscal Year) 2024 MPBF to support the compensation adjustment that may be pursued starting next year,” DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said in a statement.
According to Pangandaman, the amount was estimated based on possible increases from 2 to 8 percent in the monthly salaries of different positions in national government.
She also pointed out the last tranche of salary hikes mandated by the Salary Standardization Law of 2019 was implemented last January.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. told DBM that in implementing salary hikes, it should be studied well.
“When it comes to implementing another round of increases, President Bongbong Marcos gave us a directive to conduct a study to make sure that all the compensation of all civilian government personnel will become generally competitive compared to the private sector,” said Pangandaman.
DBM chief also said the proposed budget for wage hikes is aimed at encouraging people to enter government.
It is also meant as an incentive to current employees so that they will stay in government and perform well. (Jean Mangaluz © Philippine Daily Inquirer)
