Aquino mulls bonus hike for GOCCs

With dividends from government-owned or -controlled corporations (GOCCs) surpassing that of his predecessor, President Benigno Aquino III on Wednesday called for a review and possible increase in the bonuses of GOCC employees.

“I am directing now Secretary Purisima, and Mr. Villanueva, and also Butch Abad: I want a review of the bonuses that have been accruing all of the people involved in the GOCCs,” he said during the turnover of more than P30 billion worth of GOCC remittances to the national treasury.

READ: GOCCs turn over P36.36 billion in dividends to Aquino, national treasury

He pointed out that while P84.18 billion in remittances were collected during former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s term (2001-2009), from 2010 to 2015 alone, his administration was able to raise P131.28 billion.

“In our interest to make you more efficient, baka naman kayo ang nakalimutan. Pinasaya n’yo ‘yung bansa, baka kayo naman ang pinalungkot nang todo-todo (In our interest to make you more efficient, we might have neglected you. You made the country happy but it might have also resulted in you being sad,” he said.

The announcement was applauded by the hundreds of GOCC representatives present at the event.

The President said the review, which seeks to “maximize the benefits” of GOCC employees, should happen in a month’s time.

Reforms

Earlier in his term, Aquino suspended bonuses and allowances of GOCC executives. Several GOCCs were also abolished.

“There was a GOCC that had a mid-year bonus, productivity bonus, anniversary bonus, year-end bonus, financial assistance,” he recalled. He said it was revealed that the GOCC personnel had been receiving allowances that were more than their regular pay and benefits.

He said part of the reform process was the abolition of some companies that were no longer relevant.

READ: Even if legal, GOCC bonuses are immoral

Aquino said that it was through the reforms and new regulations that his administration was able to “professionalize” the GOCCs.

He said GOCC remittances under his administration may most likely reach an amount double that of Arroyo who was in power for nine years.

Aquino urged the GOCCs to further improve their performance.

“Ang pakiusap ko po: Huwag tayong titigil; huwag tayong makontento sa nagawa na; mag-isip pa tayo ng paraan para ba lalong mapaganda ‘yung iiwan nating biyaya, pakinabang, serbisyo sa taumbayan (My appeal: Let us not stop; let us not be content with what we have achieved; let’s think of more ways to further improve benefits and services for the people),” he said, challenging those who attended the annual GOCC Day in Malacañang.