Other depts can also get bonuses

Other state workers need not be envious of the P10,000 “anniversary bonus” received by each of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials and employees from President Benigno Aquino III during the agency’s founding anniversary on Thursday.

Malacañang is now saying that other government agencies could also   grant an anniversary bonus to their personnel for “milestone years.”

The bonus was announced by the President just three days after the capital suffered flooding and gridlock that accompanied the outset of the rainy season.

While the public may be blaming the DPWH and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority for Monday’s flooding and traffic woes, the Chief Executive was all-praises for DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson for what he believed was the marked improvement in the flood situation in the capital.

At a briefing in the Palace on Friday, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the grant of this bonus to the DPWH people should not “cause jealousy” among employees of other branches of government.

“It’s not just the DPWH—let’s be clear on this. When an agency or department of government marks its anniversary, there are instances when they (officials) grant what they call ‘the milestone anniversary bonuses’ to their rank and file. So this is not unique to the DPWH,” said Valte.

Asked by the Inquirer how the law defined “milestone years,” Valte said: “(The bonus can be granted) every five years, if I am not mistaken.”

This bonus—if forthcoming—will be welcome relief to the 1.6 million-strong bureaucracy that will not be receiving any salary increase this year.