PNoy issues EO hiking government workers’ pay

President Benigno Aquino III has issued an executive order implementing the third tranche of the Salary Standardization Law, which hikes the salaries of government workers. Based on Executive Order (EO) No. 40, which the President signed on April 29, the lowest-paid regular government employee will get a salary of P8,287 starting June 1 – instead of July 1, the original target date to implement the increase. A candidate soldier will get a monthly pay of P10,386. A soldier with the rank of private, or his counterpart in the police, fire department, or jail management bureau will get a salary of P13,492 a month. Meanwhile, a salary of P43,872 will go to a two-star general monthly, P47,150 to a vice admiral, P51,283 to a three-star general, and P57,500 to a full or four-star general. Earlier, Aquino had issued Memorandum Order 14 that directs the immediate processing of the payment for half the year-end bonus and cash gifts of government employees to enable them to “receive these benefits as early as possible." The year-end bonus is equivalent to half an employee’s basic salary, while a cash gift is equivalent to P5,000. Aside from employees in national government agencies, Aquino said those from government corporations and financial institutions, and local government units will receive half the year-end bonus and cash gift in early May. Meanwhile, for private employees, regional wage boards are discussing petitions for wage increases. On Monday, the National Capital Region (NCR) wage board said it will announce its decision on wage increase petitions on May 9. — PE/VS, GMA News