Palace mulls salary increase to address DOST brain drain

By: Kristine Angeli Sabillo - 10 years ago

A weather forecaster at work. INQUIRER file photo

MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang on Tuesday acknowledge the so-called “brain drain” in the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) as personnel continue to leave their posts for greener pastures abroad.

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. on Tuesday assured the public that the government is trying its best to retain skilled personnel.

“Sinisikap pa rin ng ating pamahalaan na mapanatili ang mga mahuhusay na manggagawa sa loob ng mga regulasyon ng pamahalaan at sa abot ng kakayanin ng resources ng ating pamahalaan (The government is trying its best to retain highly-skilled workers within the regulations and resources of the government),” he said in a press briefing.

The statement came hours after Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) officer-in-charge Vicente Manalo told Senate that at least 32 personnel recently left DOST and its attached agencies including the state weather bureau.

Coloma said what is happening will eventually push for the amendment of the Salary Standardization Law, which sets the salaries of government employees.

“Maaari ring maging senyales ‘yan para tingnan ng ating mga mambabatas ‘yung pangangailangan na ayusin ang pasahod sa mga empleyado ng gobyerno, kaya nga nagkakaroon ngayon ng talakayan hinggil sa panibagong pagbabago sa Salary Standardization Law para maipatupad din ‘yung inaasam na pagpapataas ng sahod sa iba’t ibang sektor, kabilang na ang mga sundalo, pulis, guro at iba pang government employees,” he said.

(That may be a sign for lawmakers to fix the salary of government employees…that’s why the possibility of amending the Salary Standardization Law is again being discussed – to give other sectors their salary hike request, including soldiers, police, teachers and other government employees.)

Coloma said the government is also studying ways to grant the request of Pagasa employees for hazard pay in accordance to the law and within the available budget.

However, he said they also recognize the existence of “market forces.”

“‘Yung mga mayroong talent at dunong sa isang larangan, natural lamang para sa kanila na humanap ng pinakamainam na kompensasyon na naaayon sa antas ng kanilang kahusayan,” he explained.

(Those who have talent and excel in a field, it is but natural for them to find work that offer the best compensation at par with their skills.)

In the meantime, he said there are programs in place that allow government to recruit bright graduates.

“Tinutugunan po ng ating pamahalaan ‘yan sa pamamagitan ng pagsasagawa ng mga programa para akitin ang mga mahuhusay na siyentipikong nagtatapos sa iba’t ibang pamantasan na mag-apply at ma-empleyo sa ating pamahalaan,” Coloma.

(Our government is addressing that through programs that entice skilled scientists from various universities to apply and work for the government.)