RESENT ATIVES

RECHYVE

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) EME is
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) DATE:

First Regular Session ) TIVE: Vann

é
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIE

H.No,__ 2609

ATION UNIT

Introduced by Representative Vilma Santos-Recto
6th District of Batangas

AN ACT
INCREASING TO THREE THOUSAND PESOS (P3,000) THE MONTHLY
PERSONNEL ECONOMIC RELIEF ALLOWANCE (PERA) GRANTED TO
GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES

Explanatory Note

‘Twenty five years ago, the Personnel Economic Relief Allowance (PERA) was conceived
to shield the salaries of public sector employees from the ravages of inflation brought about by
two debilitating oil price hikes in the latter part of 1990 and to prepare them against the possible
economic fallout from the Gulf War.

The PERA was intended to help the civil servants tide over increasing cost of living until
the crisis had subsided. But the crisis never left; on the contrary, it grew worse. Thus, in order to
improve the purchasing power of the peso, which has been eroded through time, President Fidel
Ramos signed Administrative Order No. 53 in 1993, implementing the grant of additional
compensation in the amount of Five Hundred Pesos (P50) per month to public school teachers,
uniformed personnel of the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines,
and extending the benefit to the rest of the personnel of the government.

On June 17, 2009, Joint Resolution Number 4 mandated that the Additional
Compensation in the amount of One Thousand Five Hundred Pesos (P1,500) and the Five
Hundred Pesos (P500) PERA, be collectively referred to as PERA.

This bill seeks to increase the monthly PERA granted to public sector employees to
P3,000in order to supplement the public employees’ salaries in the midst of rising cost of living.

The budgetary outlay for this proposal is admittedly substantial and would require
additional funding sources. However, government's fiscal position has remarkably improved as
evidenced by our stronger macroeconomic fundamentals and positive credit rating adjustments.
Credit upgrades lessen the cost of government borrowings and frees up resources that can be
tapped for other uses. This is not to mention the steady stream of revenues from administrative
reforms and from measures rationalizing tax collections such as the Sin Tax reform law.



Increasing the salaries of our public servants is a means of recognizing the value of their
contribution to public service, which should not go unreciprocated. No matter how minimal, such
increase would definitely redound to an energized and motivated public service corps that would
perform and deliver the government’s performance targets.

1 invite Presidential endorsement of the bill even as | urge ii

VILMA SANTOS-RECTO,


we ervonunewne

10
oe
12
13
14
15
16
7
18
19
20
21
22

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES —_)
First Regular Session 5

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.No.__ 2609

Introduced by Representative Vilma Santos-Recto
6th District of Batangas

AN ACT
INCREASING TO THREE THOUSAND PESOS (P3,000) THE MONTHLY
PERSONNEL ECONOMIC RELIEF ALLOWANCE (PERA) GRANTED TO
GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES, APPROPRIATING FUNDSTHEREFOR AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

SECTION 1. Increase in Monthly Allowance. — The Personnel Economic Relief
Allowance (PERA) granted to government employees is hereby increased from the present Two
Thousand Pesos (P2,000) per month to Three Thousand Pesos (P3,000) per month effective
January 1, 2017.

SEC. 2. Coverage. — The PERA shall be granted to civilian government personnel
whether employed by the national or local governments, appointive or elective, and whether
occupying regular, contractual, or casual positions, whose positions are covered by Republic Act
fication Act of 1989,"as

No. 6758, otherwise known tion and Position Cl:

the “Compen:

amended, as well as military and uniformed personnel.

SEC. 3.Funding. ~ The funds necessary to implement the benefit herein authorized for
national government employees shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

For Local Government Units (LGUs), the benefit shall be charged against respective
local funds. Any deficiency shall be charged against the unexpected balances of CY 2016
Internal Revenue Allotments (IRAs) to LGUs which are hereby authorized to be realigned for the
purpose. Thereafter, the amount necessary shall be provided in their respective annual budgets.

For Government-Owned and/or Controlled Corporations, the benefit shall be charged
against their respective corporate funds.

SEC. 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations. ~ The Department of Budget and
Management shall issue the implementing rules and regulations not later than thirty (30) days
from the approval of this Act.

SEC. 5. Repealing Clause. ~ All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations, or portions

thereof, inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Page 1 of 2


23 SEC. 6. Effectivity. ~ This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its publication
24 inthe Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,

Page 2 of 2