Government workers to receive salary increases, new medical benefits under EO64
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has signed Executive Order No. 64, raising salaries and introducing a new medical allowance for government employees to address rising living costs.
Signed on Aug. 2, the order aims to maintain a competent and healthy public sector workforce.
“Given the prevailing economic circumstances, including the erosion of purchasing power due to inflation, there is a need to update the salaries and benefits of government personnel in order to maintain a competent, committed, agile, and healthy workforce,” President Marcos said.
The new salary schedule applies to all civilian government personnel across the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches, Constitutional Commissions, other Constitutional Offices, Government-Owned or Controlled Corporations (GOCCs), and Local Government Units (LGUs), including public school teachers.
Qualified employees will receive an annual medical allowance of P7,000 for health maintenance organization (HMO)-type benefits.
Salary adjustments will occur in four tranches, starting Jan. 1, 2024, with subsequent increases on Jan. 1 of 2025, 2026, and 2027.
The first tranche will be retroactive to the start of this year.
Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin signed EO 64 on behalf of the President, and it will take effect immediately upon publication in the Official Gazette or a general circulation newspaper.
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) will issue guidelines for implementing the order.
The Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) responded, calling for fair compensation. They acknowledged the DBM’s efforts but expressed disappointment with the minimal increase compared to past adjustments.
The TDC stated, “Sapat na umento ang dapat sa mga guro at kawani,” emphasizing that government compensation remains inadequate.
They noted the proposed increase under the new Salary Standardization Law (SSL VI) is only slightly higher than the previous SSL V, with an entry-level Teacher I seeing an increase of just P142 over four years.
“SSL nina Duterte at Marcos, walang pinag-iba,” TDC said in a statement.
The TDC criticized the first tranche of P1,512, arguing it fails to keep pace with inflation, leaving teachers struggling with daily expenses.
They questioned the DBM’s claim that the new salary structure is “more competitive,” asserting the increases are insufficient and undervalue educators’ contributions.
The coalition called for a more equitable salary system recognizing teachers’ importance and ensuring they receive adequate compensation.
The TDC declared, “Bilang mga guro, marapat lamang na ipaglaban natin ang isang makatarungang sistema ng sahod para sa mga guro na hiwalay sa SSL. [As teachers, we must fight for a fair wage system separate from SSL, as our contributions to society deserve proper recognition and dignity.]”
