DAVAO CITY— The House of Representatives on Wednesday, approved House Bill 5712 or the proposed 5th Salary Standardization Law, that will pave the way for the salary increase for government workers.
187 lawmakers voted for the approval, five opposed but no one abstained.
Under HB 5712 the salaries of government workers will be increased effective calendar year 2020 to 2023.
Last Monday, the Senate approved its version of the law.
Davao City Third District Representative Isidro T. Ungab, the chair of the Committee on Appropriations, sponsored and defended the bill when it was subsequently referred for floor deliberation during the session last Tuesday.
The approval was in response to President Duterte’s certification as urgent of Senate Bill No. 1219 or the proposed “Salary Standardization Act of 2019” which is the counterpart measure of HB 5712.
“There was a need to explain the urgency of passing the Bill, we need to pass it because the President has committed to government workers that their salaries will be increased starting next year,” Ungan told NewsLine.
Ungab explained, under HB 5712 or the proposed “Salary Standardization Law of 2019” seeks to raise the minimum basic salary, Salary Grade 1, from P11,068 to P13,000 to remain competitive with the minimum daily wage in the National Capital Region (NCR).
He said the proposed modified salary schedule shall be implemented in four tranches.
Ungab emphasized that the proposed salary hike will ensure that salaries of government employees remain at par with those in the private sector. “The salaries of government personnel will be raised closer to market rates while giving priority to the rank and file consisting of Sub-Professional and Professional categories,” he said.
The Bill raises salaries by a significant amount, especially in the lower Salary Grades.
Department of Budget and Management Assistant Secretary Myrna Chua said the overall weighted average increase upon full implementation in fiscal year 2023 will be 23.24 percent.
For positions allocated to Salary Grades 11 to 13, for example teachers 1, 2, and 3, the increase in salary shall be 30.1 percent, 27.1 percent, and 24.5 percent, respectively, upon full implementation.,” Chua said.
As part of the Incentives under the Total Compensation Framework, the Mid-Year Bonus equivalent to one month basic salary as of May 15 of a given year, shall be granted to those who have rendered at least four months of satisfactory service and are still in the service as of same date, to be given not earlier than May 15 of every year. Also, the existing Year-End Bonus equivalent to one month basic salary and Cash Gift of P5,000 shall be given in November of every year.
For personnel of National Government Agencies (NGAs), the salary schedule shall be implemented in four tranches, with the first tranche beginning on January 1, 2020, the second tranche beginning on January 1, 2021, the third tranche beginning on January 1, 2022, and the fourth tranche beginning on January 1, 2023.
