DBM to release cash incentives for 1.8-M gov’t employees

The Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has authorized cash incentives for over 1.8 million government employees, starting this Friday. Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman explained that this Service Recognition Incentive (SRI) acknowledges the commitment and hard work of government workers. It aligns with the Philippine Development Plan and the Eight-Point Socioeconomic Agenda.

Pangandaman praised the President for approving Administrative Order (AO) No. 12, which has been in place since 2019, for the fiscal year 2023. She noted that this order recognizes the collective and valuable contributions of government employees towards achieving key national objectives and targets.

AO No. 12 outlines that each eligible employee could receive up to PHP 20,000. This includes civilian personnel in national agencies, military and uniformed personnel, employees in legislative and judicial departments, and local government units (LGUs), depending on their financial capability.

To qualify for the SRI, civilian personnel must occupy regular, contractual, or casual positions, be in service as of November 30, 2023, and have completed at least four months of satisfactory service by that date. Pro-rated incentives are available for those with less than four months of service, and those who have not received additional year-end benefits in FY 2023 are also eligible.

However, certain categories of workers are not entitled to the SRI. These include consultants, experts engaged for specific tasks, laborers on job contracts, those paid on a piecework basis, student workers, apprentices, and individuals engaged through job orders or contracts of service.

In addition to SRI, President Marcos has signed Administrative Order No. 13, granting a one-time Gratuity Pay of up to PHP 5,000 to workers on job orders or contract of service, recognizing their significant contributions to government programs and projects.