Gov’t workers get P5,000 Christmas bonus; workers bat for pay hike

Government employees will receive an additional P5,000 Christmas bonus on or before Dec. 15, President Arroyo announced yesterday.

Speaking at the 10th National Convention of Government Employees, Mrs. Arroyo said the extra bonus will be taken from the savings of the various government agencies to be collated by the Department of Budget and Management.

The government decided to make a pool of resources so all its employees would get equal bonuses unlike before when some would get low cash incentives compared to others whose agencies managed to save money, she added.

Mrs. Arroyo also reiterated the government has included increased salaries for its workers in next year’s proposed national budget.

"The people pin their hopes upon the performance of our public servants, Cabinet members, government corporate executives and CEOs (chief executive officers), leaders of our educational system, our bureaucracy from the top officials to the lowest rank and file," she said.

"And we are trying hard in spite of budget limitations to alleviate the plight of our government work force. That’s why in the proposed budget, we have included a compensation adjustment of P13 billion so we can have an increase in your compensation."

On the other hand, the Philippine Government Employees Association appealed to Congress to speed up the passage of the 2006 General Appropriations Bill to enable civil servants to get the planned salary hike.

"We hope the budget bill will not just sleep in Congress," PGEA president Esperanza Ocampo told reporters yesterday.

"If they do that it’s like showing they don’t have the heart for government employees because there will be no (salary) increase in 2006."

Government employees are also seeking non-monetary benefits like tax incentives to help them cope with the rising cost of living, she added.

Ocampo said a salary increase or non-wage benefits would be of great help to them in keeping up with skyrocketing prices of basic goods.

"We must be thankful for whatever benefits the government gives us, but if you ask us if the employees are happy already (with the bonus), of course not yet," she said.

"I think my fellow workers in government will feel bad if I say they are very happy with this already. What we are waiting for is the salary increase.

"The President is now ready to give that but the decision is now in the hands of Congress."

Ocampo said they did not ask for a bigger bonus, considering the government’s lack of funds, but they would seek non-monetary benefits.

They have submitted a proposal to the tripartite industrial peace council for the non-wage package for government workers, she added.

Ocampo said some of their suggestions included free bus rides, reduced tax for some and exemption for low-earning government employees or discounts from various establishments.

"If they increase our salaries, much of these will be eaten up by taxes," she said. "We are tired of paying taxes, we are the most honest taxpayers, maybe we can pass the burden on to the richer ones."

Ocampo said without reduced tax or exemption for those getting the minimum rate in government, then the administration might consider doing away with the monthly withholding tax so they could use the money.

"You compute and they get two months of our salaries for our taxes in a year," she said.

"Maybe we can just pay at the end of the year, rather than the government withholding them."

Ocampo said these were only some of the non-monetary benefits they could get during these hard times.

"If senior citizens get 25-percent discount (on some goods, fares and services), maybe they can give us 15-percent or even half of that," she said.

"There should be some lessening of the burden so we can live decently."

Ban on gifts

Meanwhile, the Civil Service Commission has warned government officials and employees against accepting or soliciting gifts and favors, especially during the Christmas season.

"Government officials and employees and even offices should not solicit nor accept gifts and other favors on any occasion, including Christmas, in the course of performing official duties, especially if these would come from suppliers, contractors and clients," CSC Chairwoman Karina David said in a statement.

"Soliciting or accepting gifts, gratuities, favors, entertainment, or anything of monetary value in the course of official duties, or in connection with official operations is a grave administrative offense punishable by dismissal on first offense."

David said government agencies should instead come up with a "Gift Registry" that would contain basic information like the name of the giver/sender, name of the recipient, the gift item, and preferably the estimated amount or value of the gift.

"The gift registry would be in anticipation of the giving of gifts and other items to government officials and employees this Christmas," she said.

However, there is no problem about customary exchange gifts within the office and among employees, which usually form part of Christmas programs, she added.

Earlier, David said given the prohibitions of law, setting up a gift registry would ensure transparency and would address situations when extravagant gifts or favors are given on the pretext of spreading Yuletide cheer.

A gift registry would likewise serve as a way of monitoring compliance on related civil service law and rules, she said.

David said Republic Act No. 6713, the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, states that "soliciting or accepting gifts or anything of monetary value in the course of official duties" is a ground for administrative disciplinary action.

"The propriety or impropriety of gifts largely depends on their value, the kinship or relationship between giver and receiver, and the motivation," she said.

"A thing of monetary value is one that is obviously excessive by its very nature. As provided under RA 6713, the prohibition does not include unsolicited gifts of nominal or insignificant value not given in anticipation of or in exchange for a favor from a public official or employee or given after the transaction is completed or service is rendered."

Meanwhile, David also called on all government officials and employees to ensure smooth and continuous service amidst the customary holding of Christmas parties and programs.

"Public service should not be jeopardized with customary holding of Christmas parties and programs," she said.

During Christmas parties, there should be a skeletal staff to attend to clients and to ensure that delivery of services to the public would not be disrupted, she added.

Closing offices on a regular working day to give way to the holding of Christmas parties is against the law, David said. — Aurea Calica, Cecille Suerte Felipe