Local govt workers to get salary increases in 2011

Local government employees have good reason to toast the new year as they are set to receive salary increases in 2011, mandated by one of the last acts of the Arroyo administration. The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) had issued a budget circular ordering local officials to increase the salaries of employees down to barangay personnel, who officially receive only monthly honoraria. Consultants are not included in the increases. The salary hikes range from 11 to 12 percent, depending on an employee’s salary grade. A rank-and-file employee from a sixth-class municipality who receives P4,900 a month, for example, will be entitled to an increase of about P600. Sixth class is the classification for the poorest local government unit. But the date of implementation of the increases will be decided by local government councils, taking into account the income of their LGUs. The councils also have the option of giving the salary hikes in tranches. As of posting time, GMANews.TV was trying to reach the Department of Budget and Management to inquire about the availability of funds for such a massive new outlay for personnel. Local Government Unit (LGU) employees were also given salary increases last year, in accordance with the Salary Standardization Law. Then-DBM Secretary Joaquin Lagonera signed Local Budget Circular No. 95 on June 29 last year -- or a day before President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo stepped down from office. The circular directs all governors, mayors and barangay chairpersons to implement the salary increases in 2011. Based on the DBM circular, the salary increase covers “all positions for salaried local government unit (LGU) personnel, whether regular, contractual or casual in nature, appointive or elective, full-time or part-time." The same circular likewise stated that local government councils will determine the schedule of the implementation of the salary increase based on the status of the LGU’s income class and financial capability. Local government units with “insufficient" funds may implement a “modified salary schedule" to be determined by the local council, the circular stated. - HS, GMANews.TV