House OKs standardization of gov’t workers’ pay

The House of Representatives on Wednesday unanimously approved on final reading House Joint Resolution 36, seeking to upgrade, rationalize and standardize compensation of all government employees and to be implemented initially in July.

“This program applies to all civilian government personnel, regardless of status. Military and uniformed personnel are also covered by a separate compensation system provided under HJR 36,” Speaker Prospero Nograles, principal author of the original resolution, noted.

Also on Wednesday, the House approved on third reading 57 local bills, eight local measures on second reading, adopted the Senate version of House Bill 3618 or the Philippine National Police Education Requirement measure and approved the Conference Committee report on Senate Bill 2396 and HB 4237 or the Magna Carta of Women.

The chamber also concurred with the Senate amendments on four other local bills on education, the judiciary and grants of franchises.

HJR 36 is a substitute resolution to HJR 24 authored by Nograles and 13 other House bills separately filed by both members of the majority coalition, the minority and party-list representatives.

“It is important to note that the salary adjustment for the President of the Philippines, the Vice President and members of Congress takes effect only after the expiration of their respective terms,” Nograles pointed out.

He lauded the hard work and diligence of Deputy Speakers Raul del Mar, Arnulfo Fuentebella, Pablo Garcia, Amelita Villarosa and Eric Singson, who took turns in presiding over the plenary. The same credit went to Majority Leader Arthur Defensor and his deputies who steered the measure through plenary and appropriations panel chairman Junie Cua, who defended and sponsored the measure until final approval.

President Arroyo’s certification of the measure’s urgency made possible the simultaneous approval on second and final reading by plenary.

The upgrading under the new system shall be implemented within four years beginning on July 1.

For national government entities, the initial implementation in July would be charged against the 2009 General Appropriations Act (GAA) and from savings of the different agencies. Thereafter, the succeeding tranches shall be included in the subsequent annual GAA.

Aside from the Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches, those covered include the constitutional commissions, State universities and colleges, government-owned or controlled corporations (GOCCs), government financial institutions (GFIs) and local government units.

For GOCCs and GFIs, the amount needed shall be charged against their respective corporate funds.

All positions in the government shall be grouped into three categories, namely: 1) “Sub-professional,” or those positions that involve manual or clerical work in support of office operations, or those engaged in arts, crafts, and trades; 2) “Professional,” or positions involved in the exercise of profession or application of knowledge acquired through formal education/training; and 3) “Executive,” or managerial positions involved in the executive, legislative and judicial functions.

In the proposed salary schedules, the present 33 salary grades and eight steps per salary grade shall be retained. The differences between salary grades, however, shall be rationalized to avoid overlaps. The system also follows the principle of “non-diminution of benefits.”

Government agencies authorized by law to have their own compensation and position classification system shall, however, be governed by their respective own systems.

Military and uniformed personnel shall be covered by a separate compensation system that will promote pay equity.

Among the 82 principal and co-authors of the substitute resolution are Reps. Juan Edgardo Angara, Thelma Almario, Monico Puentevella, Ronald Singson, Philip Pichay, Antonio del Rosario, Cynthia Villar, Del de Guzman, Liwayway Vinzons-Chato, Rufus Rodriguez, Ma. Theresa Bonoan-David, Mary Ann Susano, Luzviminda Ilagan, Diosdado Arroyo, Ferdinand Marcos, Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, Rachel Arenas, Eduardo Gullas, Ma. Carissa Coscolluela, Edcel Lagman, Reylina Nicolas and Eufrocino Codilla. –Daily Tibune