President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has signed Administrative Order (AO) No. 27, authorizing the release of a ₱20,000 Service Recognition Incentive (SRI) to qualified government employees for fiscal year 2024. The announcement, made public on Friday, has been lauded for boosting morale among public workers but has also sparked controversy due to the exclusion of certain workers.
The one-time incentive will be distributed to eligible personnel in national government agencies (NGAs), including military and police forces, teachers, and uniformed personnel under the Department of the Interior and Local Government. However, the order excludes job order workers, consultants, and other contractual personnel, leading to criticism from those left out of the program.
Who qualifies for the ₱20,000 incentive?
The Service Recognition Incentive will benefit various groups in the public sector. Civilian personnel in NGAs, including state universities and colleges (SUCs) and government-owned and -controlled corporations (GOCCs), are eligible, provided they occupy regular, contractual, or casual positions.
To qualify, employees must meet the following criteria:
- Render at least four months of satisfactory government service as of Nov. 30, 2024.
- Still be employed in the government as of that date.
Those with less than four months of satisfactory service will receive a pro-rated SRI, calculated based on the length of their service.
In addition to national government employees, personnel in the Senate, House of Representatives, judiciary, Office of the Ombudsman, and constitutional offices may receive a one-time incentive at a rate determined by their respective office heads, capped at ₱20,000. Local government units (LGUs) and local water districts may also grant the SRI, depending on their financial capacity.
Critics call out exclusions
Despite the positive reception from many public employees, criticism has arisen over the exclusion of certain workers. AO 27 explicitly states that individuals without a formal employer-employee relationship will not receive the SRI. This includes:
- Consultants and experts hired for limited periods.
- Laborers paid on a piecework basis.
- Student workers and apprentices.
- Workers engaged through job orders or contracts of service.
The decision to exclude these groups has drawn backlash on social media, with critics arguing that all government workers, regardless of employment status, deserve recognition for their contributions.
Praise and controversy from social media
The announcement has triggered mixed reactions online, as government workers celebrate the incentive while others question the fairness of the exclusions.
- @JuanDelaCruz1984: “Teachers and military personnel deserve the ₱20,000 bonus, but what about job order workers? They work just as hard!”
- @PinoyAdvocate: “Marcos did a great job with this incentive, but excluding contractual workers feels unfair. Recognize everyone!”
- @TeacherMomsPH: “As a public school teacher, I’m grateful for this. It’s a huge morale booster for educators.”
- @BPOWarriorPH: “Why are consultants and JOs excluded? They’ve been crucial in delivering public services during tough times.”
- @KapitanNgBayan: “LGU employees like barangay workers should receive this too! It depends on our LGU’s funds? Unfair!”
- @OFWUnitePH: “Great news for government employees, but the exclusions highlight a larger problem with employment equity in the Philippines.”
What does the incentive mean for government workers?
Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman praised the move, highlighting the administration’s recognition of government employees’ commitment to efficient and effective public service. Teachers, military personnel, and uniformed officers, among others, will benefit from the ₱20,000 incentive—a significant boost to morale during the holiday season.
The order acknowledges the challenges faced by government workers due to domestic and international uncertainties. It aims to reward their perseverance and dedication in maintaining public service standards.
Potential impact on local government units
While the AO allows local government units to grant the SRI, the decision ultimately rests on their financial capacity. This provision means that employees in financially constrained LGUs may not receive the full incentive—or any incentive at all. Critics argue this creates a disparity among government workers depending on their location, raising concerns about equity and fairness.
In addition, water districts have been given discretion to set a uniform rate for their employees, further complicating the implementation of the incentive across the board.
Conclusion: A step forward, but questions remain
President Marcos’ approval of the ₱20,000 SRI for government employees marks a positive development for many in the public sector. The incentive demonstrates the administration’s commitment to acknowledging the contributions of its workforce. However, the exclusions have raised questions about fairness and the broader issue of employment status in the public sector.
As the December 15 distribution date approaches, it remains to be seen whether the administration will address the criticisms surrounding this initiative. For now, the incentive stands as a mix of celebration and contention, reflecting both progress and lingering challenges in public service compensation.
Jaja has a degree in journalism and took classes in international law and business communication. Her career spans roles at prominent international media outlets, including International Business Times, Celebeat and Delightful Philippines. As a news editor, Jaja covered a wide range of beats, including legal, business, economy, cryptocurrency, personal finance, gaming, technology, and entertainment.