The Philippine government has officially confirmed the salary increase for public sector employees through the implementation of the Salary Standardization Law VI (SSL VI). This initiative aims to enhance the compensation of government workers, ensuring their salaries remain competitive with the private sector while addressing inflation and economic challenges.
Objectives of SSL VI
SSL VI seeks to provide fair and competitive compensation for government employees. The primary objectives include ensuring that government salaries align more closely with those in the private sector, helping public servants cope with the rising cost of living, and motivating the workforce by recognizing their contributions to public service.
By improving compensation packages, the government hopes to attract and retain skilled professionals in public institutions. This salary adjustment applies to all civilian personnel in the government, excluding military and uniformed personnel, whose salaries are governed by separate laws.
| Salary Grade | 2024 (1st Tranche) | 2025 (2nd Tranche) | 2026 (3rd Tranche) | 2027 (4th Tranche) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SG 1 | ₱13,530 | ₱14,061 | ₱14,634 | ₱15,208 |
| SG 5 | ₱17,205 | ₱17,866 | ₱18,581 | ₱19,296 |
| SG 11 | ₱28,512 | ₱30,024 | ₱31,705 | ₱33,387 |
| SG 15 | ₱38,413 | ₱40,208 | ₱42,178 | ₱44,148 |
| SG 20 | ₱60,157 | ₱62,967 | ₱66,052 | ₱69,138 |
| SG 30 | ₱196,199 | ₱203,200 | ₱210,718 | ₱218,237 |
| SG 33 | ₱428,994 | ₱438,844 | ₱449,157 | ₱459,469 |
Implementation Timeline and Phased Salary Adjustments
The implementation of SSL VI is scheduled over four years to ensure financial sustainability. The first tranche of salary adjustments took effect on January 1, 2024, with subsequent increases scheduled annually until 2027.
Under this scheme, government employees will experience incremental salary hikes based on their Salary Grade (SG) and Step. For instance, an employee at Salary Grade 15 (Step 1) will see their monthly salary increase from ₱38,413 in 2024 to ₱44,148 by 2027.
Similarly, an SG 33 employee, typically holding top government positions, will receive an increase from ₱428,994 in 2024 to ₱459,469 by 2027. By implementing salary increases gradually, the government ensures that employees benefit from steady income growth while maintaining responsible fiscal management.
Additional Benefits for Government Employees
Beyond salary hikes, SSL VI introduces additional benefits to improve the overall well-being of government workers. Employees will receive an annual medical allowance of ₱7,000 to help with healthcare expenses. The uniform and clothing allowance has been raised to ₱7,000 annually to support the purchase of work attire.
Performance-based bonuses will also continue to be awarded to employees who contribute significantly to their agency’s goals. These benefits, alongside the salary increases, aim to enhance job satisfaction and work performance among government personnel.
Economic and Workforce Implications
The implementation of SSL VI is expected to have far-reaching effects beyond government workers. Higher salaries will boost consumer spending, potentially stimulating economic growth. Additionally, improved compensation may encourage talented individuals to consider careers in the public sector, addressing manpower shortages in government agencies.
As the government ensures competitive wages and benefits, public servants can expect better financial stability and job security. This landmark policy reinforces the government’s commitment to enhancing the lives of its employees while maintaining efficient public service delivery.