DepEd on incentive for teachers: ‘We can’t promise maximum amount’

The Department of Education (DepEd) in the Philippines has expressed uncertainty about being able to provide the full P20,000 Service Recognition Incentive (SRI) for its teachers in 2023. According to DepEd Assistant Secretary Francis Bringas, the amount of the SRI largely depends on the department’s annual “pooled savings”. This means that the funds available for the SRI are determined by the savings generated within the department each year.

DepEd’s budget officers and regional directors are planning to meet soon to determine the exact amount of funds available for the SRI. Bringas highlighted that historically, the DepEd has not been able to give the full P20,000 SRI due to limited savings. For instance, last year, the department was only able to distribute P15,000 as the SRI to its employees.

This announcement comes in the wake of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s Administrative Order No. 12, which was issued on the same Tuesday. This order authorizes the grant of a one-time SRI for government employees in 2023, with a uniform rate not exceeding P20,000. However, due to budget constraints, DepEd is cautious about promising the maximum amount of P20,000 to its teachers.