Question & AnswerQ&A (LETTER OF INSTRUCTIONS NO. 1019)
Performance is the basic factor considered for promotion and salary increase according to LOI No. 1019.
Across-the-board salary increases are discouraged because they are inconsistent with the merit recognition program of government personnel administration and cannot always be supported by available government funding.
LOI No. 1019 directs the more aggressive implementation of the merit increase program in the national government.
All heads of Ministry, Bureau, Office, or Agency of the national government are directed to implement the merit increase program more systematically.
The Merit Increase Program shall be charged to the Salary Adjustment Fund.
The Minister of the Budget is tasked to set aside funds for merit increases, jointly review rules and regulations on merit increases with the Civil Service Commission, and help formulate implementing rules for the program.
The Chairman of the Civil Service Commission reviews and helps liberalize rules and criteria for merit increases, establishes an appeals mechanism, and assists in formulating rules needed to implement the program.
No, LOI No. 1019 explicitly prohibits salary increases given on the ground that the employee is retiring soon for the purpose of increasing their retirement gratuity.
Each Ministry/Bureau/Office/Agency must have a Merit Increase Committee responsible for evaluating proposals, and these proposals must be posted or made known to allow employee opinions and protests prior to approval.
No, a merit increase does not automatically carry over to a higher position; the Minister of the Budget and the Chairman of the Civil Service Commission shall determine the circumstances under which this may happen.