NOV 9, 2015

NR # 4013C

House Committee on Appropriations to act on

proposed Salary Standardization Law Wednesday
The House Committee on Appropriations is set to approve on Wednesday the muchawaited proposed Salary Standardization Law of 2015 that will modify the
compensation and position classification system of civilian government personnel and the
base pay schedule of military and uniformed personnel.
Rep. Isidro T. Ungab (3rd District, Davao City), committee chairman, said the
proposal embodied in House Bill 6268 authored by Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr.,
House Majority Leader Neptali M. Gonzales II and him was endorsed by Budget and
Management Secretary Florencio Abad to Congress in a letter to the Speaker.
I just received communication from the executive department addressed to the
Speaker and signed by Secretary Abad. Immediately, upon receipt of the letter, I contacted
the Speaker and the Majority Leader, and they agreed to pass this on first reading today,
said Ungab.
Ungab said the Committee on Appropriations will immediately tackle the bill on
Wednesday. The appropriations committee will immediately act on it. I believe this is
good news to all employees of the government from the highest official to those lowest
ranked. I think there will only be one hearing on it because Im sure everyone supports the
proposal. I dont see any objection to it, said Ungab.
Ungab said they have been waiting for the SSL bill since last week as the DBM had
promised during the budget hearings to provide the salary adjustment details.
There have numerous texts and questions about a new pay hike, so to end the
speculations, here it is, nandito na, said Ungab.
Ungab said the first round of the salary standardization will be implemented next
year, and will require a total funding of P57.9 billion. Of this amount, P50.4 billion has
already been earmarked in the 2016 General Appropriations Bill (GAB), which the House
approved on third and final reading last October before adjournment.
The balance of P7.5 billion will come from adjustments they will make in the
bicameral conference committee or from the Pension and Gratuity Fund (PGF).
The House has until the end of the year to act on the bill because the funds for the
SSL will be taken from the GAA according to him.
Most likely, the GAA and the SSL will be passed altogether after the bicameral

committee approval or when both houses have ratified the budget (measure). I can only
talk for the committee on appropriations and my colleagues in the House said Ungab.
Ungab said the funding requirements for the succeeding compensation adjustments
shall have the following budgetary requirements: second tranche, P54.3 billion; third
tranche, P65.9 billion; and fourth tranche, P47.5 billion.
The bill provides the Compensation and Position Classification System (CPCS)
shall apply to all civilian government personnel in the Executive, Legislative and Judicial
Branches, Constitutional Commissions and other Constitutional Offices, GovernmentOwned or Controlled Corporations (GOCCs) not covered by Republic Act 10149, and
local government units (LGUs). It shall cover government personnel whether regular,
contractual or casual, appointive or elective; and on full-time or part-time basis.
Under the new SSL, those under Salary Grade 1 who are now receiving P9,000/
month will get P9,478/ month under Step 1 of the first tranche, P9,981 under the second
tranche, P10,510 under the third tranche; and P11,068 under the final tranche.
Those in the highest level of Salary Grade 33 who are presently receiving
P120,000/month will get P160,000/month in the first tranche, P215,804 in the second
tranche, P289,4010 in the third tranche, and P388,096 in the final tranche.
The bill provides it is the declared policy of the State to provide all government
personnel a just and equitable compensation in accordance with the principle of equal pay
for work of equal value.
Pursuant to this, the State shall ensure that: differences in pay shall be based upon
substantive differences in duties, responsibilities, accountabilities and qualification
requirements of the positions; and compensation for all civilian government personnel
shall be standardized and rationalized across all government agencies to create an enabling
environment that will promote social justice, integrity, efficiency, productivity,
accountability and excellence in the civil service. (30) rbb