Question & AnswerQ&A (DBM BUDGET CIRCULAR NO. 2000-18)
The purpose is to consolidate, amend, and clarify guidelines for granting year-end bonuses, cash gifts authorized under R.A. No. 6686 (amended by R.A. No. 8441), and their advance payments to government personnel for FY 2000 and onwards.
All government personnel in NGAs, SUCs, GOCCs, GFIs, and LGUs, including appointive, elective, regular, temporary, casual, and certain contractual personnel who have rendered service from January 1 to October 31 and remain in service as of October 31.
Personnel must have rendered at least an aggregate of four months of service, including leaves with pay, or those on approved leave without pay with at least four months rendered, and those with less than four months get prorated cash gifts.
Barangay officials (Punong Barangay, Sangguniang Barangay members, secretaries, and treasurers) occupying their positions as of October 31 are entitled only to a cash gift of P5,000, known as Christmas Bonus.
Persons AWOL as of October 31, those no longer in service due to separation/death/resignation/retirement, consultants, student laborers, apprentices, contract project laborers, mail contractors, and those formally charged and found guilty of administrative or criminal cases related to their duties.
They shall not be entitled to year-end benefits in the year the decision was handed down, except if the penalty is only a reprimand which does not disqualify them.
A bonus equivalent to one month basic salary as of October 31, exclusive of allowances and other additional compensation, plus a cash gift of P5,000.
Yes, advance payment of one-half of the benefits can be given not earlier than May 1, provided they have rendered at least four months service including paid leave from January 1 to April 30. Elective officials cannot receive advance payment during the last year of their term.
Personnel who received the advance half but are no longer in service as of October 31 must refund the amount advanced.
The new agency shall grant the benefits. If the employee already availed of the advance half from the former agency, the new agency pays only the remaining balance. Certification of prior payment is required.
No, granting additional benefits or similar compensation other than those authorized is prohibited and any such authorizations are nugatory and unenforceable.
The advance payment can be made not earlier than May 1 and must be completed by May 31. The balance must be paid not earlier than November 15 and completed by November 30 each year.
The heads of government entities are personally liable and responsible for improper grants of benefits not in accordance with the Circular, including refund of excess payments.
Yes, they are entitled to proportionate benefits corresponding to their actual basic salary and length of service. Those serving in multiple agencies get proportionate shares but total benefits cannot exceed the full amount provided.
They receive a bonus equivalent to their monthly contractual rates as of October 31, excluding the 20% premium and other allowances, plus a P5,000 cash gift.