Jinggoy Estrada eyes new pay hike for 1.9M gov’t employees

Citing the increasing cost of basic goods and services, Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada has filed a bill that seeks to provide a new round of take-home pay increases for an estimated 1.9 million government employees.
 
To increase the salary for government employees, Senate Bill No. 2611 proposes a four-year implementation of the Salary Standardization Law VI, which will be given in four tranches, resulting in a 10 to 46 percent adjustment in their salaries.
 
“Napaso na noong nakaraang taon ang Salary Standardization Law (SSL) 5 na pinatupad ng nakaraang administrasyon na tumutugon sa tumataas na cost of living o gastusin. Patuloy pa rin naman ang pagtaas ng presyo ng mga bilihin at serbisyo kaya dapat ay may kaakibat na pagtaas din sa sahod ang mga kawani ng gobyerno upang sila ay  makapagbigay ng disenteng pamumuhay sa kani-kanilang pamilya (Last year, the SSL 5 implemented by the previous administration to respond to the increasing cost of living or expenses has expired. With the continued increase in the price of goods and services, it's necessary to have an icrease in the salary of government workers to provide a decent life for their families),” Estrada, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Labor said.
 
Under SB 2611, the first tranche will grant government workers a 10 percent increase, 11 percent increase for the second tranche or second year of implementation, 12 percent for the third tranche, and 13 percent on the fourth tranche, or an overall 46 percent hike during the covered period of the proposed law.
 
The bill covers all civilian government employees, including public school teachers, nurses, salaried personnel in local government units (LGUs), and barangay personnel who get monthly honoraria. Excluded are military and uniformed personnel, government-owned or -controlled corporations (GOCCs) not covered by RA 101 or the GOCC Governance Act of 2011, and individuals whose services are engaged through job orders, contracts of service, consultancy or service contracts with no employer-employee relationship.
 
The increase in salaries authorized for the President, Vice President, and members of Congress shall take effect only after the expiration of the respective terms of the incumbent officials.  
 
Estrada underscored the need to modify the salary structure for civilian personnel, saying that the measure seeks to ensure that the compensation for all civilian government personnel is standardized and rationalized across all government agencies to create an enabling environment that will promote social justice, integrity, efficiency, productivity, accountability and excellence in the civil service.
 
“More importantly, the proposed bill intends to convey the government’s gratitude for their selfless service and utmost dedication to their work. Also, it will make the compensation of government workers competitive, thus helping retain the incumbent employees and attract applicants at the same time. Through this, we can expect a more vibrant and robust civil service in the country,” said Estrada.