Gov’t workers get 14th month pay mid-May

Government employees will receive their bigger midyear bonuses starting the middle of May, according to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

In a circular dated April 28, Budget Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad noted that Executive Order (EO) No. 201 signed by President Aquino in February mandated the grant of a midyear bonus—the “14th-month pay” equivalent to one-month basic salary.

Government employees—both civilian and military—will receive their bonuses beginning May 15, the DBM said.

Not covered

But employees at government-owned or -controlled corporations are not covered, as they have a separate compensation and position classification system, or CPCS, under EO 203, which President Aquino signed last month.

As for the year-end bonus, also equivalent to one month basic pay, as well as the cash gift of P5,000, these will be given after Nov. 15, the DBM said.

Previously, the year-end bonus or “13th-month pay” was given in two tranches—the first in May ahead of the opening of schools, and the second in November.

EO 201 raised the salaries of civilian employees as well as granted new and increased allowance for military and uniformed personnel.

The DBM noted that the EO was aimed at “[ensuring] that the government compensation structure is comparable with the prevailing rates in the private sector, thereby attracting and retaining competent and committed civil servants.”