Government employees will see wage increases this year

1.36 million government employees will receive their first pay boost of the year, retroactive to January, along with a midyear bonus, according to Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman's announcement.

"It can be given this month, but it would still depend on the agency," Pangandaman said in an interview in Malacañang.

Executive Order (EO) 62, which permits the application of Salary Standardization Law VI (SSL VI), was released by the Palace on August 2.

"We have earmarked P36 billion under the MPBF (Miscellaneous Personnel Benefits Fund) for the implementation of the first tranche of SSL VI," Pangandaman said.

Salary increases will take effect in January 2025, with an average 18% increase in total spread over four tranches in 2024, 2025, 2026, and 2027.

Government employees' compensation will account for 84.33 percent of the market under the first tranche, with an average wage increase of 4.41 percent from wage Grade-1 to SG-31.

The raise will range from 4% to 5.20 percent at the Sub-Professional Level (SGs 1 to 10). There will be a P530 rise in the minimum basic salary (SG-1) as it will be changed from P13,000 to P13,530.

The raise will be between 4.50 and 5.60 percent at the Professional Level (SGs 11 to 24) in order to bring government pay more in line with market offerings.

However, the rise for the Executive Level (SGs 29 to 31) will be between 2.65 and 3.90 percent; for the Managerial Level (SGs 25 to 28), it will be between 2.35 and 2.40 percent; and for the Top Leaders (SGs 31 to 33), it will be between 2.35 and 2.40 percent.