PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. on Tuesday approved new salary increases and medical benefits for Government-Owned and -Controlled Corporations (GOCC) employees.
“In support of the hardworking men and women who make this possible, I have approved the Compensation and Position Classification System II that would increase the salaries of GOCC employees,” he said during the GOCC Day event in Malacañang.
“I have also approved the provision of a tiered medical allowance for GOCC employees depending on the capacity of the GOCCs.”
The move comes as the government continues its probe into corruption within its ranks, with Mr. Marcos stressing the higher pay for GOCC employees reflects the government’s commitment to fostering a motivated public sector workforce.
He noted that for corporations that already adopted the Compensation and Position Classification System (CPCS) 1, the adjustments would be applied retroactively.
“For GOCCs that implemented CPCS 1, the increases will retroact to Jan. 1, 2025, upon receipt of their Authority to Implement from GCG (Governance Commission for GOCCs),” he said.
He said the measure guarantees fair recognition for workers who consistently demonstrate efficiency, transparency and accountability in public service.
Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman said the salary adjustments came as a surprise to many GOCC workers, who have been requesting an increase for some time.
Unlike national government employees, who began receiving gradual pay hikes under the CPCS last year and are due for a third tranche in 2026, GOCC workers have yet to benefit from the program.
“At the same time, as you may have heard, there was a medical allowance for national government agencies. Now, they also have a medical allowance,” she told reporters in Filipino during the celebration of the GOCC Day in Malacañang.
“The amount depends on the tiers, since our GOCCs are classified into different tiers,” she added. “They have their own funds. Once the executive order is signed and released, they can compute it and then provide it.”
Mr. Marcos challenged the GOCCs to modernize, simplify processes and slash red tape to benefit every Filipino.
“For the rest of the bureaucracy, our job is to ensure that the dividends of our GOCCs will redound to better services,” he noted. “We need to spend these funds with utmost transparency and accountability. Public trust is our most valuable currency. Once lost, rebuilding it becomes far more difficult.” — Chloe Mari A. Hufana
