2022 Hottest PERA Increase Proposed from 2,000 to 4,000 or 2,000 to 8, 000: Which of the two truly smashes public teachers’ choice?

The proposed Personnel Economic Relief Allowance (PERA) increase is the latest update from 2,000.00 to 4,000.00. Senate Bill # 3151 was introduced by Senator Manny Villar during the 15th Congress of the Republic of the Philippines—Second Regular Session. It is an act to increase the Personnel Economic Relief Allowance (PERA) granted to government employees to four thousand pesos (4,000) and make it appropriate, therefore.

The Personnel Economic Relief Allowance (PERA) was granted to all government employees in 1991 to cushion the impact of the increase in commodity prices since the Gulf Crisis, which has affected many countries, including the Philippines. Perera served as a buffer as many of our fellow citizens struggled to make both ends meet.

Over the years, the prices of commodities continued to increase, and the purchasing power of the peso continued to decline. With their low pay, government workers are hard up and are still facing hard times. Sometime in 2009, Joint Resolution No.25 of the Congress of the Philippines was passed, which increased PERA by 2,000 to supplement pay due to the rising cost of living.

However, this amount is still not enough to improve the quality of life of our government workers. Thus, it is essential that we address their financial needs and, at the same time, motivate them to be more productive and efficiently render services. Therefore, this bill seeks to increase the Personnel Economic Relief Allowance from 2,000 to 4,000 for all government workers. For the foregoing reasons, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

In Senate Bill #3151, Section 2. Coverage. The PERA shall be granted to civilian government personnel, whether employed by national or local governments, appropriate or effective, and whether occupying regular, contractual, or casual positions, whose positions are covered by Republic Act 6750, otherwise known as the Compensation and Position Classification Act of 1969, as amended, as well as military and uniformed personnel. Provided, however, that government personnel stationed abroad who are already receiving overseas allowances are not eligible for PERA.

 Section 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations. The Department of Budget and Management shall issue implementing rules and regulations within fifteen days of the effectiveness of this Act. Section 5: Effectiveness. This Act shall take effect fifteen days after its publication in the official gazette or a newspaper of general circulation.

On the other hand, another PERA increase is proposed from 2,000 to 8,000 monthly. A lawmaker seeks to increase public school teachers’ personnel’s economic relief allowance (PERA) by the said increase. Representative Alfred Delos Santos of Ang Probinsyano Partilist filed House Bill 6239, or “AN ACT INCREASING THE PERSONNEL ECONOMIC RELIEF ALLOWANCE OF PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS.” 

The House Bill said that in light of the consistently high inflation rate and increases in various tax rates, the sufficient amount of the Personnel Economic Relief Allowance (PERA) for public school teachers had become an alarming issue.

Hence, it is proposed in this Bill that the PERA granted to public school teachers be increased to at least P8, 000.00, an amount which would, at the onset, substantially cover the disproportion between the current monthly wage of public school teachers and the approximated living wage in the Philippines for a family of five, it added. For funding, Rep. Delos Santos said that it might come from the General Appropriations Act (GAA).

Teachers believe this is an excellent time to increase the PERA this year (2022). Because the last increase in PERA was just in 2009, to respond to this bill urgently, all government employees should address this problem to all Senators to approve this bill immediately. All prices continue to increase, and the cost of commodities is choking. Many people say that if you want to walk around in an expensive area, go to a gas station and enjoy the high price. 

The third-tranche increase is invisible and not felt by the teachers and all government employees. Which of the two proposals indeed smashes public teachers’ choice? Both proposed increases are superb, but teachers and all government employees will choose the vast increase from 2,000.00 to 8,000.00. This amount is a big help to all government employees affected by this crisis. – Doki | Helpline PH