Politics · Philippines Bureau
Senator Ejercito pushes to triple government workers' monthly allowance
A Philippine senator is advocating for a significant increase in the Personnel Economic Relief Allowance for state employees, citing the need to address long-standing gaps in compensation. The proposed hike would more than double the current benefit that has remained unchanged for over a decade.
LSN Philippines ·
Sen. JV Ejercito is backing calls to raise the Personnel Economic Relief Allowance (PERA) for government workers to P5,000 monthly, up from the current P2,000, his office announced Monday. The proposal would represent the first major adjustment to the allowance since 2009, when both chambers of Congress last modified the benefit through Joint Resolution No. 4.
The senator's backing adds legislative momentum to efforts aimed at improving the financial position of civil servants amid persistent inflation and rising cost of living across the archipelago. Government workers have long sought adjustments to allowances that have effectively eroded in value over the past 15 years without revision.
The PERA, designed as an economic relief measure for state employees, currently provides minimal relief relative to prevailing wage pressures in the Philippines. Ejercito's position reflects growing recognition among lawmakers that compensation adjustments are overdue for the public sector workforce.