Solon urges DBM: Push for state workers’ allowance hike in 2027

MANILA, Philippines — ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio on Thursday urged the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to stand by its plan to propose an increase in the monthly allowance received by state workers in 2027.

This came after officials mentioned during a budget committee hearing that the DBM is set to review the recommended increase in the Personnel Economic Relief Allowance (Pera) by 2027 to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. 

“It’s a done deal. This means the plan, or rather, the recommendation, is to increase the PERA by 2027. And all the government employees here, even the regular ones, will be pleased, because we are discussing that additional 2,000 pesos a month that has long been stalled,” Tinio said in a statement.

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In April, the solon called on the government to raise the monthly allowance of civilian government employees to P5,000 from P2,000 amid the rising living costs.

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READ: Solon asks for more Pera for gov’t workers amid soaring fuel prices

He then raised the proposed funding source under the Miscellaneous Personnel Benefits Fund (MPBF) amounting to P55 billion. He said that around P24 billion is estimated annually just for the additional P1,000.

“The reason I am asking this is that there is P55 billion in the MPBF. It is a lump-sum fund, and as you mentioned, that is a potential source for the allocation. Earlier, I noted that historically, the MPBF is one of the funds tapped or reduced to accommodate congressional insertions,” he expressed.

Thus, the MPBF should not have reductions or realignments to guarantee the allowance hike for state workers, including teaching and non-teaching personnel, by 2027, Tinio said.

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“That is why I want to emphasize, Mr. Chair, that the clear plan here is for the P55 billion to fund the government employees’ PERA. Therefore, Congress should not touch or reduce it,” he added.

The lawmaker pointed out that the subsistence allowance for military and uniformed personnel had doubled from P150 to P350 per day.

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“My point is simply that a substantial amount has been allocated for the increase in the subsistence allowance. This is actually the second year, right? So, we need to follow through with the provision for civilians — specifically the Pera. There are no further changes to that; that is the situation. We will be monitoring this,” he stressed. /das