DBM continues release of PBB

Eligible government employees will continue to receive their performance-based bonuses (PBB), the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said Friday.

“There is no withholding of the PBB for FY (fiscal year) 2017. In fact, FY 2016 PBB release is ongoing and the memorandum circular for FY 2017 PBB was issued last March 9, 2017. The PBB for FY 2017 will be released starting first quarter of FY 2018,” Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno said in a statement.

Diokno issued the clarification after House appropriations Committee chairman Karlo Nograles said the DBM was reviewing if the PBB should continue.

PBBs are granted to government offices and personnel who have played significant roles in reaching the government’s performance targets.

According to Diokno, the PBB incentive scheme was deemed effective in increasing the compliance of government workers to good governance standards, instilling financial discipline and improving performance management.

“We were able to push compliance to budget, procurement, service standards, and SALN (statement of assets, liabilities and net worth) disclosures,” the budget chief said.

Based on records from the DBM, compliance to good governance conditions in 2016 improved in the following areas: transparency seal to 98 percent from 87 percent in 2012, Citizen’s Charter (99.7 percent from 79.8 percent), Philippine government electronic procurement system (92 percent from 32 percent in 2011), and report on ageing of cash advances (97 percent from 30 percent in 2011).