MANILA — Civil servants will receive higher clothing allowance this year amounting to PHP6,000 from the previous PHP5,000, Budget and Management Secretary Benjamin Diokno announced Wednesday.
“Approximately PHP1.12 billion has been allocated under the miscellaneous personnel benefit funds for this,” Diokno said in a briefing.
“It’s about time to increase it (clothing allowance) to PHP6,000 and we’re going (to do) it this year,” he added.
For the succeeding years, the uniform/clothing allowance (U/CA) “shall not exceed the amount authorized under the pertinent general provision in the annual GAA (General Appropriations Act), the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said in a Budget Circular issued on March 8,2018.
Under the said Circular, “civilian government personnel occupying regular, contractual, or casual positions; appointive or elective, rendering services on full-time or part-time basis” will get the higher clothing allowance.
The allowance will be given to those “who are already in government service and are to render services for at least six months in a particular fiscal year, including leaves of absence with pay.”
“If funds in GOCC (Government-Owned and Controlled Corporation) or LGU (Local Government Unit) budgets are not sufficient to implement fully the U/CA authorized for the fiscal year, the U/CA may be granted at lower but at uniform rates for all qualified personnel,” it said.
The Circular explained that the U/CA may be granted in the form of uniforms procured through a bidding process, in the form of textile materials and cash to cover sewing/tailing costs, and in cash form for those who are not required to wear the prescribed uniforms.
“As far as practicable, such uniform/clothing shall use Philippine tropical fibers pursuant to R.A. No. 9242, s.2004,” it said,
Shoes are not covered under the U/CA “unless provided for by law,” it said, adding that effectiivity of the Circular “shall take effect immediately.” (PNA)
