The progressive alliance of government employees, teachers and health workers—the All Government Employees’ Unity—assailed Joint Resolution No. 24 or the Salary Standardization Law Part 3 which was proposed by Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya Jr. and was endorsed in the 14th Congress by House Speaker Prospero Nograles, saying it is divisive and deceptive.
BY NOEL SALES BARCELONA
Bulatlat
Correspondent
Last Sept.5, during the deliberation for the 2009 National Budget, Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya Jr. told the legislators that the Department of Budget of Management (DBM) is allocating P20 billion ($415.02 million at the Nov. 7 exchange rate of $1:P48.19) for the salary increases of all government employees, including high ranking officials in the government.
As support for the DBM move, House Speaker Prospero Nograles Jr., a close ally of the President, on Sept. 16 adopted Joint Resolution No. 24, amending Republic Act No. 6758 or the Salary Standardization Law of 1994.
However, Joint Resolution No. 24 wasn’t received with open arms by the state workers themselves. Their criticism: it nails the ordinary employee in penury, divides their ranks, and it only favors the already “favored class.”
More for the full, less for the empty
Confederation for Unity, Recognition and Advancement of Government Employees (Courage) national president Ferdinand R. Gaite said, Joint Resolution No. 24 clearly shows that the Macapagal-Arroyo government is really pro-elite and anti-poor.
“The Joint Resolution No. 24 or the Salary Standardization Law 3 (SSL 3) of Andaya and Nograles makes the gap between the lowest and highest paid employees even wider. For the Salary Grade 1, Step 1 employees, they only get a measly 30.1 percent increase while those in the higher positions get 100 to 142 percent increases,” he explained.
Among the recipients of the huge percentage of increase are the Chief Executive (President of the Republic) and legislators, aside from department secretaries and undersecretaries, attached and line agency and bureau directors, and division chiefs.
To illustrate, Mr. Gaite provided Bulatlat this table:
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A victim of the military's raid of a meeting of party-list groups in Cagayan Valley last week shows her injury. Anakpawis representatives Joel Maglungsod and Rafel Mariano have urged Congress to investigate the incident. (Photo courtesy of Karapatan) 
Soldiers destroyed the property of party-list groups in Cagayan Valley during a raid last week. Anakpawis representatives Joel Maglungsod and Rafel Mariano have urged Congress to investigate the incident. (Photo courtesy of Karapatan) 
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May 14th, 2009 at 1:53 pm
I just come to browse on DBM issuances,and related info on SSLIII,truly such increase especially among the rank abnd file employees like teachers is very small and if implemented,those who are in the top ranks are more benefited that those in the lower rank. If I may suggest, The arroyo gov’t would rather grant higher pecentage of salary increase to salary grades 1 to 10,and lower percentage increase to those from salary grades 11 up to insure a more just and humane distribution of salary increases.It’s true that with the proposed increase those from SG 1 to 10 will still have a big difference from those with SG 11 and up.The Philippines has much money, why can’t the rich share what they have?
May 15th, 2009 at 2:46 pm
Please display the matrix of all salary grades of the proposed salary standardization 3
May 15th, 2009 at 2:48 pm
please provide us the matrix of all salary grades for the salary standardization Law 3
May 28th, 2009 at 11:47 am
I am in favor of the comments made by Eufrenia, i just hope that we that belongs to the salary grade 10 down will have a hihger percentage rate of salary increase than those of higher ranks.
May 29th, 2009 at 10:42 am
where’s the matrix of all salary grades of the proposed salary standardization law 3? please provide us. tnks.
May 29th, 2009 at 11:07 pm
what about those Project Contractual staff who’s salary is drawn from MOOE, and who’s was hummered and nailed from the starting salary, no benefit, no incentives, none whatsoever. Also, i just hope the DBM would standardize the salary of all Project Management Offices in all agencies, whether the project is grant or loan, still its a government money anyway.
May 29th, 2009 at 11:19 pm
whenever we asked for increase, they its not allowed, thats fine with as actually for 4 years, but some of the foreign assisted project staff is getting higher than us while the position and the terms of reference are the same. they say because that project is a grant and we are on loan project, i dont think thats fair. the grant project staff is getting even more than an organic personnel, how is that possible that DBM is not acting on it. again the agency i am now will tell me because they are grant. Well, anyway…whatever
June 2nd, 2009 at 10:20 am
I concur with the suggestion of others that due consideration be given to those occupying salary grade 10 and below. However, let it be noted and be given emphasis that compensation scheme be likewise be in accordance with the constitutionally-provided MERIT SYSTEM. That would mean that increases in salary, for that matter, among different levels of government employees, CANNOT and SHOULD NOT be equal, rather, those positions requiring special skills of professionals and the like must receive higher percentage-increase. To do otherwise would be a slap to our MERIT SYSTEM..
June 4th, 2009 at 3:31 pm
we strongly suggest for the reduction of optional retirement age among civilian govt workers from 60 to 55 y.o. we also support the implementation of an early retirement program offered similar to that of the Aquino Administration.
June 8th, 2009 at 2:26 pm
If we look at a certain point, we should look closer to see the entire picture. The intention of the SSL3 is to rationalize the rank with its corresponding salary. Meaning, the higher the responsibility/work, the higher the salary… Tantamount in saying, no work no pay or less work, less pay… For those in the rank and file, it is suggested that they strive hard and perform better to get promotion… to reach SG 16 and above, which are already in the technical position but still categorized as rank and file… The SSL3 is fair and motivational to some extent.
June 10th, 2009 at 11:35 am
The SSL3 is VERY,VERY UNFAIR. I am in the middle salary grade (18) and i honestly believe that those in the lower salary grades (especially 12 and below)are unfairly treated. Do you people honestly believe that lower SG means less work and responsibility? sounds like a joke to me! perhaps in some agencies it holds true. If the salary increases were to be compared to the price increases from prior to salary increases (SSL1), you will notice that so little has improved for those in the lower SGs. It seems that legislators think that only those in the higher SGs are affected by economic forces, like say, inflation. That’s stupid thinking. I therefore believe that before any other increases be approved, across the board salary increases should first be implemented. It sounds fairer that way.
June 11th, 2009 at 11:42 am
mr julius has a very good point.. lower SGs doesn’t mean less work and responsibility these lower SGs attend to.. I am, for example, is SG9, but, gosh! i know almost every one’s job in this agency! also, I have this special skill that no one in our office can perform.. they say, i shouldn’t be stuck in this agency bcoz of the low pay, my knowledge and abilities are going into waste..I am aiming for a promotion, but still, that vacant position is not yet announced vacant..due to rationalization..so, the rationalization of agencies should also be looked into, so as not to discourage able workers..
June 11th, 2009 at 10:25 pm
You should be thankful for the increase. There are people in government who does the same work, if not more, as regular govt personnel but receives the 2001 salary rates. These people are the contract of service personnel. I know a lot of people who does technical work (second level position) but they don’t get any overtime pay, promotion, pay raise, or even any allowances. Just imagine how unfortunate these people are. They need the raise as much as the regular personnel needs them, but they don’t get any attention at all.
June 18th, 2009 at 8:09 pm
They said that this law is another benefit for the government employees who are working hard for the government. But we all know that, not all government employees and even officials are being TRUE to their work. There are some of them who just sit inside the office 8-12 1-5 without doing anything, others are just chatting and gossiping. So for me, it would be better if only the DESERVING government employees and officials should be benefited because it this is very unfair for those who are really working hard and receiving an ample salary. They should have required the supervisors (or any person who manages every office/LGU) to submit the list of QUALIFIED and DESERVING government employees/officials who are worth to be benefited.
June 19th, 2009 at 7:19 am
send me the Complete Salary Grade Table of Government Employees here in the Philippines base upon the new Salary Standardization Law 3… Thanks..
June 19th, 2009 at 2:36 pm
The proposed law is good but apparently lacks the true substance. A mere propaganda for the upcoming election? Come to think of it guys, it actually contradicts the pro poor program of the Arroyo govt. I praise our great leaders especially the Congress for passing this bill but can’t we ask a little bit more from them, besides every law should promote the betterment of the Filipino people. A good leader should not only favor the higher ups of the govt or their trusted lieutenant. it will only increase the widening gap of the rich and famous from the poor and oppressed. As a Kapampangan I will be ashamed if our great Mother, the President of the Republic, if she allow these things to materialize. I think it would be a legendary legacy to leave as she bid her farewell. Or as her critics feared this might trigger a catapulting result and rally her as the new Prime Minister of our great country. Lbjr.
June 19th, 2009 at 4:53 pm
This is very unlawful knowing that teachers and nurses spend most of their time servng the citizens of the Philippines. Teachers who are considered the base of knowledge of the country will be receiving an unjust salary increase. Corrupt bastards!
June 20th, 2009 at 6:57 pm
can you please furnish me a copy of the matrix for the 2009 salary increase. thanks
June 23rd, 2009 at 7:56 am
other allowances should be given to all employees not just to those who were hired before december 1999 like the rice allowance, medical & dental..we all know that these are still people who eats rice and is still gets sick specially now that there is this swine flu in our country
June 23rd, 2009 at 4:38 pm
HOY! MGA HARAG MONG DAGKO,TAMBALOSLOS MONG TANAN,WA MOY HINUNGDAN NANGLINGKOD DIHA,KANAOG MO SA INYONG POSISYON WA MOY ANGAY, DILI MAKATABANG OG POBRE….
June 25th, 2009 at 3:33 pm
Uy, nangalabad naman ciguro mo. wa ninyo huna huna a nga ang mga gagmay ug sweldo maoy han-ukan sa trabahuon. unya palamilami ra mo dagko ug sweldo. kamo ray dagko ug increase. ayaw mo palabi inyo gibate uy. kay magabaan baya mo.
June 26th, 2009 at 2:10 pm
INYUON NALANG NANG INCREASE! WLAY IKATABANG..MAAYO NA SA MGA DAGKO NA DAAN UG SWELDO..MAKALOLOOY ANG GAGMAY UG SWELDO…UNYA RA BA! TUA SA KADAGKUAN ANG KUSOG MO DAWAT UG SUBORNO..MAAYO JUD! PORYA GABA NINYONG TANAN!!!!!
June 30th, 2009 at 3:26 pm
ssl 3 will somehow uplift the status of the government employees. However, if we are going to base it with the standard of living in the country today, its not enough. Govt employees maybe coping up with private corporation employees but then such increase especially in the lower ranks wont ease the burden.
July 3rd, 2009 at 11:27 am
send me the Complete Salary Grade Table of Government Employees here in the Philippines base upon the new Salary Standardization Law III