DBM will continue to release performance bonus to gov’t employees

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DBM will continue to release performance bonus to gov’t employees
However, Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno acknowledges the need to 'tighten the system of granting the PBB, simplify the validation, and address the unintended consequences'

MANILA, Philippines – Hardworking government employees will continue to receive bonuses, budget chief Benjamin Diokno said in a statement on Friday, September 8.

Diokno clarified reports that the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) would withhold perfomance-based bonus (PBB) from eligible government employees.

On Monday, September 4, House appropriations committee chairperson and Davao City Representative Karlo Nograles said during the plenary deliberations that the DBM was “evaluating” whether the bonus scheme should continue.

“There is no withholding of the PBB for FY (Fiscal Year) 2017. In fact, the FY 2016 PBB release is ongoing and the Memorandum Circular for the FY 2017 PBB was issued last March 9, 2017. The PBB for FY 2017 will be released starting first quarter of FY 2018,” said Diokno.

The DBM said the program was able to increase compliance to good governance standards, instilling financial discipline and improving performance management.

Transparency Seal increased from 87% in 2012 to 98% in 2016; Citizen’s Charter, from 79.8% in 2011 to 99.7% in 2016; Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS), from 32% in 2011 to 92% in 2016; and Report on Ageing of Cash Advances, from less than 30% in 2011 to 97% in 2016,” the statement said.

However, Diokno acknowledged that there is a need to review the eligibility process.

“We must tighten the system of granting the PBB, simplify the validation, and address the unintended consequences, like the tendency of agencies to under-target. In this way, we can push for excellence in performance in the bureaucracy,” he said.

Diokno also said DBM and partner agencies are studying the possibility of focusing the bonus on attaining project objectives rather than the final output targets.

He said this would help “improve their absorptive capacity and deliver more services in line with the Philippine Development Plan.”

The proposed changes in the performance bonus scheme will be discussed with the members of the Administrative Order Number 25 Inter-agency Task Force and other concerned agencies.

The PBB was introduced during the administration of President Benigno Aquino III. It enables a public employee to earn additional incentive of P5,000 to P35,000 a year.

The grant of the performance-based bonuses aims to motivate government employees and their offices to perform better, have greater accountability, and ensure their commitment targets are met.  Aika Rey/Rappler.com

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