The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has issued a circular allowing the earlier release of the year-end bonus and cash gift for government workers as early as the first payroll of November 2024.
In a statement on Saturday, the DBM said Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman issued Budget Circular 2024-3, which amended the previous rules on the payment of the year-end bonus and cash gift.
Circular 2024-3 amends Section 6.1 of DBM Circular 2016-4, which provided that the year-end bonus and cash gift shall be given to entitled government personnel not earlier than Nov. 15 of a current year.
In the latest circular, the Budget Department said the year-end bonus equivalent to one-month basic pay as of Oct. 31 and cash gift of P5,000 shall be given to entitled government personnel simultaneously with the first agency payroll for the month of November of the current year.
“Sa first payroll po sa darating na Nobyembre ay matatanggap na ng mga empleyado ng gobyerno ang kanilang year-end bonus and cash gift. (On the first payroll of November, government workers will receive their year-end bonus and cash gift.) Instead of the existing policy that the payment of these benefits shall not be earlier than Nov. 15 of the year, the qualified personnel shall be granted their respective year-end bonus and cash gift simultaneously with the first agency payroll for the month of November,” said Pangandaman.
“We are trying to address here previous delays that had affected employee satisfaction,” she added.
The amendment was issued following the observation that “government personnel continue to experience delays in receiving bonuses and cash gifts, affecting their morale, motivation and level of job satisfaction.”
The DBM circular stated that streamlining of the payroll process of each agency will mitigate the internal and external causes of delay in the payment of benefits.
Moreover, the Budget Department noted that a streamlined process will increase productivity and efficiency, ensuring that the year-end bonus and cash gift will be granted on schedule.
“Our new release schedule for the cash gift and year-end bonus is a simple and important way to recognize the hard work of our government employees. Gusto natin siguraduhin na matatanggap nila ang bonus nila on time, para masaya ang Pasko at mas pagbutihin pa nila ang kanilang serbisyo (We want to ensure that they will receive their bonus on time so they would have a happy Christmas and that they would work harder on their jobs),” said Pangandaman.
The DBM Circular 2024-3 applies to all national government agencies, including constitutional offices, state universities and colleges (SUCs), government-owned or -controlled corporations (GOCCs), and local government units (LGUs).
Through the latest circular, the DBM directs government agencies to implement the necessary adjustments in their payroll systems to prevent further delays.
The DBM said the move is part of broader efforts to improve government efficiency, transparency, and employee welfare under the administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
“By resolving these delays, the administration of President Bongbong Marcos shows that we are not only taking care of our employees’ welfare — we are also sending a clear message of efficiency and good governance,” said Pangandaman.
The latest circular takes effect immediately and supersedes any previous regulations inconsistent with the new guidelines, according to the DBM. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
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