BY IME SORNITO AND MA. THERESA LADIAO
ILOILO City – Government employees expressed joy and overwhelming satisfaction following the confirmation of an upcoming salary increase this year. President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. signed Executive Order (EO) No. 64, which raises salaries and authorizes an additional allowance for government workers.
Ma. Airis Sobrevega-Penetrante, Population Program Officer II of the Provincial Population Office and president of the Association of Iloilo Provincial Government Employees (AIPGE), shared that the announcement made during the third State of the National Address (SONA) on July 22 left the employees ecstatic.
The formal signing of EO 64 brought even greater joy.
“We are overwhelmed. Currently, with the inflation rate, everything has become expensive — food, gasoline, education. The news is a significant relief for our employees,” Penetrante told Panay News.
In the provincial government, around 2,171 regular employees are eligible for the salary increase, with 1,568 based at the capitol and 603 in hospitals.
When asked if they were satisfied with the upcoming salary increase, Penetrante explained that as government employees, any increase, big or small, is a substantial help.
Penetrante also expressed hope for swift implementation, citing Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan’s (SP) consistent compliance with past salary increases.
Penetrante was also pleased to announce that starting next year, employees will receive an annual medical allowance of up to P7,000 to cover health maintenance organization (HMO)-type benefits.
“This medical allowance will significantly help everyone, as it adds motivation for our employees to work harder as public servants,” said Penetrante.
Araceli Esperidion Aldamar, a public school teacher from Alimodian, Iloilo, expressed her gratitude to the national government for the salary increase.
“It’s a big help and serves as recognition of the invaluable contributions teachers make to society,” said Aldamar.
Jethro Importado, a public school teacher at Jaro National High School, is grateful for the salary boost, noting it will help alleviate his daily expenses amid rising costs.
Ludovico A. Navarro Jr., an employee of the General Services Office (GSO) of the Iloilo City Government, shared his relief upon learning of the increase.
“This is a great help for my maintenance and daily expenses, especially since I commute to work daily,” said Navarro.
Irish Mae Martirez, a nurse at Western Visayas State University Medical Center, was also thrilled.
“The salary increase is a crucial support, especially since I rent my place here in Iloilo City. It helps with food and transportation expenses,” Martirez told Panay News.
She thanked President Marcos for recognizing the need for wage increases, especially among nurses.
Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman has directed the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to finalize the guidelines for releasing the salary increase. The first tranche of the Salary Standardization Law (SSL) VI, retroactive to January 1, 2024, is set to roll out, with a second tranche planned for next year.
“We have secured funding not only for this year but also for 2025. The increase this year is assured, and there will be another next year,” Pangandaman said.
The additional cost of implementing the first tranche for national government employees in 2024 is estimated at approximately P36 billion, sourced from the FY 2024 General Appropriations Act (GAA). The approved increase will be implemented in four tranches, starting retroactively from January 1st of this year.
Starting in FY 2025, government workers will also receive an annual medical allowance of P7,000 as part of their benefits package, subject to conditions and guidelines issued by the DBM or the Governance Commission for GOCCs (GCG), as applicable./PN