Gov’t employees to get mid-year bonus by May 16 – DBM

MANILA, Philippines – The mid-year bonus for government employees will be released on Monday, May 16, according to a statement by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Sunday, May 15.

Based on the data on the number of filled positions in the Government Manpower Information System (GMIS), as of April 30, the mid-year bonus amunts to P31 billion ($664.3 million). The DBM said it has already released to the various agencies the special allotment release order (SARO) for the government employees’ extra pay.

The mid-year bonus is equivalent to one month basic salary as of May 15. This is in accordance with President Benigno Aquino III’s Executive Order No. 201 in February 2016 and will be provided to all civilian, military, and uniformed personnel.

According to Budget Circular 2016-3, the mid-year bonus shall be given not earlier than May 15.

Requirements

An employee must accomplish the following requirements to avail of the mid-year bonus:

• Rendered at least a total or an aggregate of 4 months of service from July 1, 2015 to May 15, 2016
• Obtained at least a satisfactory performance rating in the immediately preceding period
• Should still be in the service as of May 15

Those with less than 4 months of service, or those that are no longer in the service as of May 15, shall not be entitled to the bonus, DBM said.

The budget department also urged agencies to conduct performance evaluation for government employees who have rendered at least 4 months of service but have yet to receive performance rating, so they can be granted the mid-year bonus. 

“According to Memorandum Circular No. 6, s. 2012, a performance evaluation shall be regularly conducted by all agencies twice a year or once every semester following the guidelines prescribed by the Civil Service Commission. However, if the organizational needs of the agency concerned require a shorter or longer period, the minimum evaluation period shall be at least 90 days or three months,” the DBM said in a statement.

Grants of mid-year bonuses in local government units (LGUs) are to be determined by the Sanggunian, subject to the personnel services limitations in LGU budgets. If funds are insufficient, local governments may also grant at lower rates but at uniform percentage of the basic monthly salary.

For government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs), the governing board shall determine the bonuses based on approved corporate operating budgets. Companies may grant at lower but uniform percentage rates if funds are insufficient. – Rappler.com

*$1 = P46.67