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TDC, DBM Discuss Key Issues in Recent Dialogue

TDC, DBM Discuss Key Issues in Recent Dialogue

On July 11, 2024, from 9:45 AM to 12:00 NN, the Teachers' Dignity Coalition (TDC) held a dialogue with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) at Boncodin Hall, DBM Central Office, Manila. The meeting was attended by TDC leaders from NCR, Central Luzon, and CALABARZON, led by National Chairperson Benjo Basas, along with DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman and her team of undersecretaries and assistant secretaries.


During the dialogue, the Performance-Based Bonus (PBB) status for 2022 was a primary topic. It was confirmed that more than one million DepEd personnel are eligible for the PBB 2022. Although the PBB 2022 and 2023 budget is intact, its release depends on the timely submission of accurate data by DepEd regions. Delays have been caused by discrepancies such as double entries and missing names. The DBM returned submissions from eight regions for re-evaluation due to these issues. The TDC criticized the RPMS-PBB scheme as flawed and causing delays despite teachers submitting all requirements on time.

The impact of Executive Order 61 on the Results-Based Performance Management System (RPMS), PBB, and Productivity Enhancement Incentive (PEI) was also discussed. The RPMS is suspended pending a review by the Technical Working Group (TWG), with potential structural changes, including digitalization, under consideration. The TDC proposed reverting to the simplified Performance Appraisal System for Teachers (PAST) to ease the burden on educators and highlighted the bureaucratic nature of the current system.

Regarding salary increases, the DBM revealed that a salary hike for 2024, part of the Salary Standardization Law (SSL) VI, is proposed and is awaiting presidential approval. If approved, the increase will be retroactive to January 2024. The TDC advocates for teachers' salaries to be determined by the Magna Carta criteria rather than the SSL and is working with legislators to advance this proposal.

Other matters, such as overtime pay, leave benefits, medical benefits, and budget allocation for substitute teachers, were also discussed, with further updates to be released later.

Here is the full transcript of the report from TDC

Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) dialogue with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM)
July 12, 2024, 9:45am to12:00nn, Boncodin Hall, DBM Central Office, Manila

Attendees:
1. TDC Leaders from NCR, Central Luzon and CALABARZON, headed by its National Chairperson Benjo Basas
2. DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman with her Undersecretaries and Assistant Secretaries

1. STATUS OF PBB 2022

Q: Makukuha pa ba ang PBB 2022 at kalian?
A: Siyempre makukuha, pero ang release ay depende sa submission ng DepEd Regions

DISCUSSION
• More than 1 million DepEd personnel are eligible for PBB 2022.
• PBB for 2022 and 2023 is confirmed, with the process for 2024 expected to be streamlined in accordance with EO 61.
• The PBB budget for 2022 and 2023 is intact and set to be released.
• Delays in DepEd are caused by many discrepancies, such as double entries in names and missing names in the list.
• DepEd should regularly update their personnel data. The DBM returned submissions of eight regions (NCR, 1, 2, 3, 4A, 4B, 5, 6) for re-evaluation due to discrepancies or errors. Forms submitted by these regions, including NCR, were returned on June 8, 2024, and have not yet been resubmitted for re-validation.
• Evaluated documents will receive their SARO for PBB, with the first to be accomplished receiving it first.
• There is a need to address the discrepancies between DBM and DepEd, and the DBM is cooperating to expedite the process and avoid repeated submissions.
• DepEd frequently encounters issues, possibly due to the large number of personnel, according to the DBM.
• The TDC insists that the RPMS-PBB scheme is flawed and will naturally result in delays despite teachers submitting all necessary requirements on time.

2. IMPACT OF EO 61 ON RPMS, PBB, PEI

Q:Mawawala na bang tuluyn ang RPMS?
A: Sa ngayon ay suspended lamang ito pero habang pinag-aaralan ng TWG at maaring magkaroon ng bagong Sistema ng performance rating. Hindi nman nagkomento ang DBM hinggil sa pananahimik ng DepEd kung tuloy pa ba o hindi na ang RPMS 2023-2024 dahil ito ay internal sa DepEd.

DISCUSSION
• Executive Order 61 has impacted PBB and PEI and suspends the RPMS pending a review by the TWG, with results expected after three months.
• Structural changes are being considered, including a move towards digitalization.
• The TDC states that PBB is being used as justification for the "burdensome, bureaucratic, laborious, and time-consuming” nature of the RPMS and proposes fair incentives like the Service Recognition Incentive (SRI) and Productivity Enhancement Incentive (PEI).
• The TDC proposes reverting to the simplified PAST to ease the burden on teachers and staff.
• The DBM says that efforts are being made to simplify performance ratings and gather input from teachers' organizations.

3. RESULT OF DBM STUDIES ON SALARY INCREASE

Q: May umento ba ngayong 2024?
A: Meron. Magiging bahagi ito ng SSL VI na ayon sa DBM ay retroactive to January ngunit kailangan pa ang approval ng pangulo.

DISCUSSION
• The GAA 2024 has allocated funds for the salary increase of civilian government employees.
• The Governance Commission for GOCCs (GCG) has conducted studies for salary increases under SSL VI, likely through an Executive Order.
• The study is complete, and the proposal is awaiting Presidential approval. If approved this year, the increase will be retroactive.
• According to the DBM, the salary increase under this scheme will be more competitive than previous ones and is expected to be retroactive to January 2024.
• The TDC states that teachers' salaries should not be based on the SSL, as the Magna Carta criteria should prevail. The group is coordinating with some legislators for this proposal.

4. Other Matters
• Other matters discussed during the meeting included overtime pay, leave benefits, medical benefits, budget for substitute teachers, and teaching and non-teaching personnel allocation. A complete update on these issues will be released later.
TDC, DBM Discuss Key Issues in Recent Dialogue
TDC, DBM Discuss Key Issues in Recent Dialogue


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