Himamaylan mayor urges council to approve salary hike

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY – Himamaylan City Mayor Raymund Tongson has requested the Sangguniang Panlungsod (City Council) to adopt the new salary increase for city government employees as mandated by the national government.

In a letter addressed to Vice Mayor Justin Gatuslao, who serves as the presiding officer of the City Council, Tongson stated that the new salary structure could be adopted through a resolution.

Tongson urged Gatuslao to adopt Local Budget Circular No. 160, in line with the “Implementation of the First Tranche of the Modified Salary Schedule for Local Government Personnel,” pursuant to Executive Order No. 64, series of 2024.

The mayor described this move as a gesture of appreciation for the hardworking employees of the city government.

He emphasized that city government employees are integral to the city’s growth and development.

Earlier this month, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. issued Executive Order No. 64, increasing the salaries of government workers and authorizing the grant of an additional allowance to state employees.

Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin, by the authority of the President, signed EO 64 on August 2, 2024, according to the Presidential Communications Office.

The order takes effect immediately upon publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

“Given the prevailing economic circumstances, including the erosion of purchasing power due to inflation, there is a need to update the salaries and benefits of government personnel in order to maintain a competent, committed, agile, and healthy workforce, thereby promoting social justice, integrity, efficiency, accountability, and excellence, and ultimately translating to increased productivity and higher-quality public service,” President Marcos said.

Under EO 64, the updated salary schedule applies to all civilian government personnel in the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches, Constitutional Commissions, and other Constitutional Offices.

Government-Owned or Controlled Corporations (GOCCs) not covered by RA 10149, or the “GOCC Governance Act of 2011,” and EO No. 150 (s. 2021), and Local Government Units (LGUs) are also covered by EO 64.

The updated salary schedule will be implemented in National Government Agencies (NGAs) in four tranches: the first tranche on Jan. 1, 2024; the second tranche on Jan. 1, 2025; the third tranche on Jan. 1, 2026; and the fourth tranche on Jan. 1, 2027.

EO 64 is retroactive, meaning that the first tranche of implementation will be effective on Jan. 1, 2024.

Qualified government employees will also receive a medical allowance of Php7,000 per annum as a subsidy for health maintenance organization (HMO)-type benefits.

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) is tasked with issuing the necessary guidelines to implement specific provisions of EO 64.