Teachers seek ‘urgent’ seek meet with DBM over delayed salary hike, bonuses
The Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) has urgently requested a meeting with Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah Pangandaman to discuss delayed salary increases and the overdue Performance-Based Bonus (PBB) for public school teachers.
In a letter dated July 4, TDC National Chairperson Benjo Basas stressed the need for updates on the anticipated salary hike and the status of the PBB for fiscal year 2024. This follows earlier requests for clarification in March and May.
Basas outlined three pressing issues that the TDC wants addressed. The first is the status of the PBB for 2022.
“Teachers have been waiting for over a year for the release of their PBB for 2022, despite having submitted all necessary requirements last year,” Basas said.
The delay has caused frustration among educators, who are yet to receive the promised incentive.
The second issue is the impact of Executive Order No. 61, signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., which suspends the Results-Based Performance Management System (RPMS) and the Performance-Based Incentive System (PBIS). The TDC wants to know how this will affect ongoing bonuses.
The group seeks assurance that incentives like the Service Recognition Incentive (SRI) and the Productivity Enhancement Incentive (PEI) will continue.
“While the TDC agrees that the PBB may cease to exist, we seek assurance that fair incentives will still be provided,” the TDC stated.
The third issue is the results of a DBM study on salary adjustments for government employees. The DBM had promised to release these findings by the end of June. However, as the first week of July ends, there has been no update.
The TDC expressed concern over the ambivalence surrounding their expected salary increases for fiscal year 2024. Basas noted that teachers are left “in a state of uncertainty,” without clear information on their salary adjustments.
The TDC emphasized the urgency of addressing these issues, highlighting the large number of educators affected. The group hopes that Secretary Pangandaman will respond promptly to their requests.
Earlier in May, the DBM indicated its support for a salary increase for government workers, including teachers, saying the government aims to create a “competitive and equitable compensation package” to reflect the rising cost of living and inflation.
The ongoing study seeks to establish a fair pay structure that enhances the welfare of government employees while maintaining fiscal responsibility.
The TDC plans to bring these concerns to incoming Secretary Sonny Angara once he assumes his role as head of the Department of Education.
