Slash in budget for state workers’ salary hike decried
ACT Teachers Party-list Representative France Castro has asked the House leadership why it slashed the funds intended for salary increase of state workers.
“Salary increase for government employees especially for teachers have been part of the campaign promise of President Marcos Jr. to them and is very important for them to cope with high prices of goods and services now. Why was it slashed?” asked the teacher solon.
The deduction was reflected in the Miscellaneous Personnel Benefits Fund — from P135.73 billion to P65.73 billion.
While under the New Appropriations, by Purpose part of the NEP/GAB, the Funding Requirements for Staffing Modification and Upgrading of Salaries and Other Compensation Adjustment decreased from P93.89 billion to P23.89 billion.
Under the New Appropriations, by Objects of Expenditures part of the NEP/GAB, the lump sum for Compensation Adjustment for Civilian Personnel was lowered from P89.909 billion to P19.909 billion.
“Now how significant is this budget cut for government employees? Based on the Civil Service Commission (CSC), as of June 30, 2023, there are 2.8 million government employees. Career employees at 1,751,975 and Non-Career at 221,325 with a total of 1,973,300, the remainder are JOs and COS,” Castro pointed out.
According to Castro, the P89.909 billion budget for lump sum for Compensation Adjustment for Civilian Personnel is equivalent to P3,254.50 monthly salary increase per government employee.
However, since it was drastically reduced by P70 billion, only P720.67 can be the expected salary increase for government employees.
