All government employees will receive their second tranche of salary increase under the latest salary standardization law a week earlier as compared to last year, the Department of Management (DBM) said.

In a statement, DBM said former President Gloria Arroyo signed Executive Order No. 900, giving the go-signal to implement the second tranche of the modified salary schedule Salary Standardization Law (SSL) III, effective June 24, 2010.

The Joint Resolution provides that the modified salary schedule under SSL III shall be implemented in four equal yearly tranches, but in no case beyond four years. The first tranche of the salary increase for National Government Agencies (NGAs), Government Owned or Controlled Corporations (GOCCs), and Government Financial Institutions (GFIs) was implemented effective July 1, 2009.

DBM assured government workers that the corresponding cash requirement for their salary increase will be released as part of the cash program for the second half of the year.

The SSL III, approved in June 2009, is a four-year plan to rationalize public sector pay through adjustments in the 33-grade government pay scale. While all employees will benefit from the pay raise, higher rates of increase are given to certain professionals like teachers, nurses, doctors, lawyers and accountants who would enjoy some 54 percent to 77 percent increase in their salaries with the full implementation of the law.

Aside from increasing salaries, these positions were upgraded in recognition of their importance in society in the case of teachers and medical personnel, and their market demand in case of lawyers and accountants.

DBM said that a soldier with the rank of Private in the Department of National Defense or a Police Officer I in the Philippine National Police would be entitled to a monthly increase of P1,342 over their current base pay; while a Nurse I would receive a P1,451 monthly salary increase. (CSL)