IT’S a rough ride, thus far, for the inclusion of the pension hike for retired military and police in the proposed law mandating a new round of salary hikes for government workers.
House Speaker Feliciano R. Belmonte, Jr. said a separate law is needed to fund the Senate proposal to include the increase in pension for uniformed personnel.
“Remember that the basic SSL (Salary Standardization Law 2015) is included in the GAA (General Appropriations Act) 2016,” Mr. Belmonte said in a statement on Wednesday.
“If the Senate will add to it, that will be another law,” he said.
According to Mr. Belmonte’s statement, the budget for the coverage of military and police retirees was not included in the P57.9 billion appropriation for the original SSL bill endorsed by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).
“If the Senate will add to it, that will be another law,” he said.
According to Mr. Belmonte’s statement, the budget for the coverage of military and police retirees was not included in the P57.9 billion appropriation for the original SSL bill endorsed by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).
The P57.9 billion budget has been included in the GAA of 2016, the statement said.
In a separate text message, House Majority Leader Neptali M. Gonzales II said Mr. Belmonte “might be referring to a supplemental budget.”
Mr. Gonzales said the 2016 national budget does not provide funds for the indexation of retirement benefits for military and police officers, “which according to DBM will amount to P19 billion for this year alone.”
In a separate text message, House Majority Leader Neptali M. Gonzales II said Mr. Belmonte “might be referring to a supplemental budget.”
Mr. Gonzales said the 2016 national budget does not provide funds for the indexation of retirement benefits for military and police officers, “which according to DBM will amount to P19 billion for this year alone.”
Both chambers have already approved on third and final reading the measure modifying the compensation and position classification of civilian personnel and the base pay schedule for military and other uniformed personnel.
The Senate’s version includes the indexation of the said retirement benefits.
The Senate and House will meet on Jan. 27 to agree on one version of the measure.
The four-year SSL 4 would cover 1.53 million state employees and would cost P225.82 billion.
The compensation package is composed of a salary increase, a midyear 14th-month pay, and an enhanced performance-based bonus system.
Asked how the two chambers will reconcile their differences, Mr. Gonzales said, “It was the Senate which restored the indexation that created this problem, sila dapat magsabi kung saan kukunin pera [they should be able to say where we can get the money].”
Sought for comment, Senator Antonio F. Trillanes IV, Senate Civil Service, Government Reorganization and Professional Regulation committee chair, said in a text message: “I respect the opinion of the Speaker but we will still push for it. The negotiations are ongoing right now to resolve the impasse.”
“It will be included in the 2017 budget as back pay,” he also said.
“Let us remember that the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines), PNP (Philippine National Police) retirees have earned that increase through the sacrifices they made when they were still in the active service,” Mr. Trillanes noted further.
“While our countrymen were living their lives quietly, a soldier is stationed in some distant rebel-infested area just to keep them safe,” he added.
Mr. Belmonte said the Senate and the House “are determined that the bill passes both houses.”
“The SSL 2015 is something the senators and we know we have to pass. In the interest of employees,” he said.
The Senate’s version includes the indexation of the said retirement benefits.
The Senate and House will meet on Jan. 27 to agree on one version of the measure.
The four-year SSL 4 would cover 1.53 million state employees and would cost P225.82 billion.
The compensation package is composed of a salary increase, a midyear 14th-month pay, and an enhanced performance-based bonus system.
Asked how the two chambers will reconcile their differences, Mr. Gonzales said, “It was the Senate which restored the indexation that created this problem, sila dapat magsabi kung saan kukunin pera [they should be able to say where we can get the money].”
Sought for comment, Senator Antonio F. Trillanes IV, Senate Civil Service, Government Reorganization and Professional Regulation committee chair, said in a text message: “I respect the opinion of the Speaker but we will still push for it. The negotiations are ongoing right now to resolve the impasse.”
“It will be included in the 2017 budget as back pay,” he also said.
“Let us remember that the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines), PNP (Philippine National Police) retirees have earned that increase through the sacrifices they made when they were still in the active service,” Mr. Trillanes noted further.
“While our countrymen were living their lives quietly, a soldier is stationed in some distant rebel-infested area just to keep them safe,” he added.
Mr. Belmonte said the Senate and the House “are determined that the bill passes both houses.”
“The SSL 2015 is something the senators and we know we have to pass. In the interest of employees,” he said.
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