Quezon City (QC) is setting aside at least P1.85 billion to implement the fourth and final tranche of the salary standardization scheme for government workers.

The new round of salary increase, which will take effect not earlier than January 1, 2013, will benefit some 5,000 regular city hall employees.      

At least 26 percent of the city’s total appropriations for salaries and wages next year has been earmarked to implement the new pay schedule.  

The P1.85 billion needed by the city to implement the fourth tranche of the salary standardization law is 0.27 percent higher than the P1.67 billion set aside by the city government this year to implement the third tranche of the salary standardization scheme.    

As provided under Executive Order 76, the implementation of the fourth tranche of the salary schedule for local government units (LGU) personnel shall be determined by the sanggunian or the city council, on the basis of the LGU income class and financial capability, provided that such salary rates shall not exceed the personal services cost limitation in local government budgets.   

The Department of Budget and Management shall issue the fourth tranche of monthly salary schedule for local government personnel.

In his budget message, Mayor Herbert Bautista of QC described the grant of the new round of salary increase as a means to helping city hall employees cope with day-to-day expenses.

“Funding requirements for the implementation of the fourth and final tranche of the Salary Standardization Law [Executive Order 76], has been included in the list of priority areas of expenditures for the city government next year,” said Bautista.