Bill modifies salary sked of gov’t workers

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate has sent for enrollment a bill that would increase the salaries of civilian government personnel and provide them with additional benefits.

Sen. Joel Villanueva said the House of Representatives is deemed to have concurred with the Senate version of the measure that was passed earlier, which means there was no longer any need for a bicameral conference committee.

Since there was no difference between the House and Senate versions, the Senate secretariat was directed to enroll the bill.

The approved bill modifies the salary schedule of civilian government personnel to address the inequality in previous salary standardization laws where majority received small increases, while high earning officials got a big raise.

Upon full implementation, the measure will increase basic salaries by 23 to 24 percent.

The highest salary increases would be from 20 to 30 percent for employees under salary grades 10 to 15. The lowest increases would be 8 percent for those under salary grades 23 to 33.

The measure also states that the midyear bonus equivalent to one month salary as of May 15 would be granted to those who have rendered at least four months of satisfactory service and would be given not earlier than May 15.

The existing yearend bonus equivalent to one month salary and a cash gift of P5,000 would be given in November of every year.