DBM: P16 billion set aside for gov”t salary increases in 2024 budget

The proposed P5.768 trillion national budget for 2024 has P16 billion set aside for increases in the salaries of government workers, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said Thursday.

Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman thus said when House Deputy Minority Leader France Castro asked if there was a salary increase programmed for government workers in 2024.

“There is a P48 million budget for the GCG (Governance Commission for Government and Owned Controlled Corporation) which will do the procurement for consultancy services that will review and study compensation and position classification in the government. They are undergoing procurement, and the results of the study are expected to be done by October,” Pangandaman said.

“Assuming that they will recommend an increase, we will be able to include it before we pass the budget. For 2024, we have P16.95 billion for compensation adjustment that may be pursued starting next year,” she added.

Castro expressed concern that the P16 billion might not be enough for a salary increase for government workers.

“This amount is kind of small,” Castro said.

Speaker Martin Romualdez said the proposed P5.768 trillion budget for 2024 supports the Marcos administration’s eight-point socioeconomic agenda and the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028.

“With utmost diligence, we will ensure that every centavo of the proposed P5.768 trillion budget will be judiciously spent. Bawat sentimo nila, may serbisyong kapalit mula sa gobyerno,” Romualdez said.

“I can assure everyone that the House of Representatives will not take a break until and unless we have passed this very important legislation,” he added.

Romualdez called on House members “to actively participate in the budget deliberation, listen and respect everyone’s view, particularly the concerns of our colleagues from the minority, and reach a consensus that is beneficial to the country, especially to the poor and marginalized among our people.”

Ako Bicol party-list Representative Zaldy Co, chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, said House members had to “diligently assess each proposed budget item and make informed decisions that will benefit our country and its citizens, particularly the marginalized segments of society.”

Marikina Representative Stella Quimbo said House members had the responsibility “to foster an environment that supports economic growth, job creation, and sustainable development.”

“By carefully evaluating Gross Domestic Product growth, trade dynamics, inflation, and monetary policy, we can craft a budget that not only responds to the current economic realities but also position our nation and our people for a prosperous and resilient future,” Quimbo said. –NB, GMA Integrated News