ACT Teachers’ Partylist welcomed the announcement that the long-delayed 2023 performance-based bonuses (PBB) for public school teachers have been approved and will soon be released.
ACT Rep. Antonio Tinio said it is time for the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to fast track the benefit’s release to Department of Education (DepEd) teachers after budget secretary Amenah Pangandaman revealed that the teachers’ PBB for fiscal year 2023 had been approved.
Tinio said the development was the result of ACT’s campaign for the payment of the benefit “teachers have rightfully earned.”
“Nagbunga ang walang humpay na pagtutok natin at ng mga guro sa loob at labas ng Kongreso. Positibo ang naging desisyon sa apela kaya matutuloy na ang pagbibigay ng 2023 PBB sa mga guro at kawani ng DepEd,” Tinio said.
In June 2024, Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. issued Executive Order (EO) No. 61, ordering a review of the Result-Based Performance Management System (RBPMS) and the Performance-Based Incentive System (PBIS), initially declaring DepEd “ineligible.”
DepEd appealed after ACT and other teachers’ groups protested.
Pangandaman, in response to Tinio’s interpellation at the House of Representatives on Monday, said DepEd’s PBB has finally been approved.
In a statement after the hearing, Tinio emphasized that other government agencies have yet to sign off on the implementation, causing further delays for the deserving recipients.
Tinio urged concerned agencies to expedite the processing and release of this bonus.
“Our teachers and government employees have been waiting far too long for what is rightfully theirs. They need this financial assistance now, especially given the continued rise in the cost of living,” he said.
The ACT Teachers representative stressed that the PBB represents recognition of the dedicated service of government workers, particularly teachers who have continued to serve despite challenging working conditions and inadequate compensation.
Government employees who score a perfect 100% in their performance evaluation may receive up to a month’s basic salary as added compensation.
A Teacher I in public schools, classified under Salary Grade 11, receives a starting monthly salary of ₱28,512.
“This victory is a testament to the power of collective action and sustained advocacy. We will continue to monitor the implementation to ensure that every qualified government employee receives their due bonus without further delay,” Tinio said. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)
