The Department of Education (DepEd) said Sept. 3 it has started processing the salary increase differentials for public school teachers and non-teaching personnel for this year, following the guidelines in Executive Order 64 of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the DepEd has received approval from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to proceed with the distribution of about P26.9 billion in salary differentials for eligible employees.
“As previously stated, both the President and the DBM have confirmed that funds will be released. In fact, they have instructed DepEd to use any available funds to advance the payment of this P26.9 billion salary differential for fiscal year 2024, covering DepEd’s plantilla positions,” Angara explained during the House committee’s deliberation on DepEd’s proposed 2025 budget.
Undersecretary for Finance Annalyn Sevilla confirmed that public school teachers and non-teaching staff can expect to receive their salary differentials for January to August 2024 starting this month. “The September payroll is authorized to include these payments.”
Sevilla said that, as of Aug. 31, DepEd regions 1, 3, and Mimaropa have successfully secured the release of their Notice of Official Salary Adjustment (NOSA) and are already processing the payment of salary differentials to their employees.
“Upon receiving the NOSA, the allotments, coordinated with the DBM, allow us to use our savings temporarily, with DBM committing to replenish these funds,” she explained.
The Cordillera Administrative Region, Central Visayas, Northern Mindanao, and Davao Region have begun partial releases of their NOSA, the official added.
EO 64 authorized the increase in the salaries and additional allowance for government employees “given the prevailing economic circumstances, including the erosion of the purchasing power due to inflation.”
The DepEd, meanwhile, warned the public about a fake cash assistance for students circulating online.
The bogus announcements said students would be granted P5,000 to P8,000 if they register or apply online.
DepEd reminds everyone to stay vigilant against misinformation, and to follow its official website and socmed platforms for authorized announcements and information. “Report any misleading and suspicious information about basic education to depedactioncenter@deped.gov.ph,” its advisory stressed. ||
