By Brian Jules Campued
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday announced the administration’s plan to release a four-tranche salary increase for government workers on top of medical allowance as part of their additional benefits starting this year or next year.
In his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the Batasang Pambansa Complex, President Marcos said the government has already allotted a budget for the pay hike of government workers.
“Furthermore, we have extended the services of our job order and contract of service personnel working in government,” he continued.
“This will also afford them ample opportunity to work on their civil service eligibilities, while gaining additional relevant experience and training to upgrade their employment qualifications,” he added.
The President also noted that the minimum wage levels in various private sectors have also been raised, aiming to help over 4 million Filipinos and their families.
Meanwhile, Marcos also highlighted an increase in the country’s employment rate at 95.9% as well as more high-quality jobs that Filipinos get.
“Underemployment too has decreased from 11.7% in May of 2023 to 9.9% today, which is our lowest since 2005,” he said.
“Notably, we also saw an increase in middle-skilled employment, wage and salaried employment, and full-time jobs,” he added.
In addition to this, the Chief Executive said that the current number of investment pledges the administration has inked would create more than 220,000 jobs for Filipinos.
Meanwhile, the President also boasts the achievements of the government’s flagship social protection program, the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), which helped improve the lives of the poor. He stated that over 420,000 of the beneficiaries who graduated from the 4Ps have also experienced better living conditions.
“With the noble aim of breaking the cycle of poverty across the country, the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program has not only consistently accomplished its annual targets – it has also proven its efficacy over the years,” he said. – av