₱5,000 PERA Increase for Teachers, Government Workers

MANILA, Philippines — The call to increase the Personnel Economic Relief Allowance (PERA) of government employees, particularly public school teachers, is gaining stronger support as inflation, transportation costs, fuel prices, and other basic living expenses continue to rise.

For more than sixteen (16) years, government workers have been receiving the same ₱2,000 monthly PERA, an allowance intended to help cushion the impact of increasing prices of basic commodities and services. Despite significant changes in the country's economic landscape since 2010, the amount has remained unchanged.

Originally introduced in 1991 at ₱500 per month, the PERA was increased to ₱1,000 in 1993. In 2009, the Additional Compensation (ADCOM) was integrated into the benefit, resulting in the current ₱2,000 monthly PERA, which took effect in January 2010. Since then, no adjustment has been implemented despite multiple rounds of inflation and increases in the cost of living.

Because of this, many government employees, especially teachers, argue that the current amount no longer fulfills its original purpose as an "economic relief" allowance. What could cover several household necessities in 2010 now provides significantly less purchasing power due to inflation.

Lawmakers Push for Higher PERA

Several lawmakers have filed measures in both the House of Representatives and the Senate seeking to increase the PERA granted to government workers.

Among the notable proposals is Senate Bill No. 2562, authored by Senator Joseph Victor G. Ejercito, which seeks to increase the monthly PERA from ₱2,000 to ₱5,000. The measure recognizes that the allowance has remained stagnant for over a decade while the prices of basic goods and services have continuously increased.

In the House of Representatives, House Bill No. 206 seeks a similar increase in the allowance of public sector employees, while other bills propose increases ranging from ₱4,000 to ₱7,000 per month.

Recently, ACT Teachers Party-list Representative Antonio Tinio renewed the call for a ₱5,000 monthly PERA, citing the growing burden of inflation on teachers and government workers. The proposal has gained renewed attention as many employees struggle to cope with rising food, transportation, electricity, and fuel expenses.

Teachers and Government Employees Continue to Advocate

Teacher organizations and government employee groups have consistently pushed for the increase, emphasizing that the allowance has lost much of its value over time.

Various labor and government employee organizations have also supported petitions urging the national government to prioritize the adjustment of PERA, arguing that ordinary government workers continue to face increasing financial pressures while their economic relief allowance remains unchanged.

For many teachers, the proposed increase is not merely a benefit enhancement but a necessary adjustment to restore the allowance's original purpose. Advocates point out that while salary adjustments have been implemented through the Salary Standardization Law, PERA has remained fixed since 2010.

DBM: Adjustment May Be Considered in Future Budgets

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has acknowledged the growing calls for an increase in PERA. However, budget officials have noted that any adjustment would require substantial government funding.

According to estimates, even a ₱1,000 increase in PERA would require approximately ₱23 billion in additional government spending annually. Because of this, discussions on possible adjustments may be considered in future budget planning, including the proposed national budget for 2027.

A Long-Standing Demand

As discussions continue in Congress and among government agencies, teachers and public servants remain hopeful that the long-awaited increase in PERA will finally become a reality.

While no law has yet been enacted to raise the allowance, the growing number of legislative proposals and the increasing support from employee organizations indicate that the issue remains a priority for many sectors.

For now, government workers continue to receive the same ₱2,000 monthly PERA that was implemented more than sixteen years ago—an amount many believe no longer provides the economic relief it was originally intended to deliver.