Nancy to DepEd, DBM: What happened to teachers' PEI?
...senator seeks to fast-track bonuses

Senator Nancy Binay on Monday asked the government what happened to the commitment of the Department of Education and the Department of Budget and Management to release the Productivity Enhancement Incentive (PEI) before June 1, 2015.

Binay expressed surprise that after a month Executive Order No. 181 was signed by President Aquino, public school teachers have not received this year's PEI which is equivalent to either P5,000 or one month basic salary. The senator hopes that the DBM and DepEd can fast-track the processing of the PEI without the deductions.

Last week, the Teachers' Dignity Coalition's (TDC) called on the government to release teachers' PEI and clarify if DBM would be giving a month's salary or only the P5,000 equivalent.

"Isang buwan na halos at lahat matagal nang nag-umpisa ang mga klase. Parang unfair naman na pare-pareho naman silang nagta-trabaho pero hindi lahat ay nakakatanggap ng bonus ang ating mga guro na kanila rin namang pinaghirapan," Binay said.

The lady senator also supported TDC's appeal for their PEI to be equivalent to their one-month salary so that the varying amounts would not cause division and comparison among employees.

"The teachers should be the government's priority and they deserve to receive the highest compensation and benefits due them," Binay added.

According to TDC, the PEI was cut to P5,000 from 2012 to 2014 as the government implemented another incentive, the performance-based bonus (PBB).

"Marami po sa ating mga minamahal na guro ang nagtitiis sa kakarampot na sweldo. Sana naman, itong paminsan-minsang bonuses na tutulong sa kanila ay huwag na nating ipagkait sa kanila," Binay said.

"Ang mga guro po ang nagsisilbing pangalawang magulang ng ating mga anak tuwing sila ay nasa eskuwelahan. Sana po ay tulungan natin ang mga mabubuting guro na makaahon sa buhay," she added.

Classes started last June 1 for public elementary schools and high schools.

Executive Order No. 181, signed by the president last May 15, called for the implementation of the provisions of the 2015 General Appropriations Act (GAA) on the grant of the PEI to government employees.