Gov't employees to get 13th month pay starting this week

Manila Philippines - Government employees will get the remaining half of their 13th month pay and cash gift starting this

week, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) announced Sunday.

Under Budget Circular 2010-1, which was first issued on August 28, 2010, government personnel are entitled to a year-end bonus equivalent to a month's pay, as well as a cash gift of P5,000.

"For the past year, government employees have been working quietly and without fanfare for the good of the nation. It's only proper that their efforts and hard work are given fair recognition. The year-end bonus and extra cash should help them prepare for the holiday season and its demands," said Budget Secretary Florencio "Butch" Abad.

Government-owned or -controlled corporations (GOCCs) and government financial institutions (GFIs) will tap into their corporate funds for the bonuses, while local government units (LGUs) will source their perks from local government funds.

The budget circular covers civilian and uniformed personnel across all government departments and agencies. It also includes regular co-terminus government employees.

Abad noted that the budget for the 13th month pay was already released at the very start of the year as part of the General Appropriations Act.

"The General Appropriations Act-as-release-document ensures that funds are sufficiently available to the agencies from the very start, so that they can roll out the year-end bonuses and cash gifts at the appropriate time," he said.

Government employees already received half of their 13th month pay and cash gift last May.