Government Workers to Receive ₱20,000 Service Recognition Incentive Starting December 15

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has approved a one-time Service Recognition Incentive (SRI) of ₱20,000 for government workers, providing a holiday boost to civilian and uniformed personnel across the country.

Issued under Administrative Order No. 27 by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, the SRI will be distributed starting December 15, 2024. The incentive applies to personnel in national government agencies, including state universities and colleges (SUCs) and government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs), as well as members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), and other uniformed services.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for the full ₱20,000 SRI, employees must meet the following conditions:

• Be in service as of November 30, 2024.
• Have rendered at least four months of satisfactory service by November 30, 2024, including time under alternative work arrangements.
• Have not received any additional year-end benefits exceeding those authorized under RA No. 6686.

Pro-Rated SRI for Partial Service

For employees who served less than four months by November 30, the SRI will be given on a prorated basis:

• 40% for three months but less than four months.
• 30% for two months but less than three months.
• 20% for one month but less than two months.
• 10% for less than one month of service.

Expanded Coverage

Apart from the executive branch, employees in the legislative and judicial branches, local government units (LGUs), barangays, and local water districts will also receive the one-time incentive. However, individuals without an employer-employee relationship, such as consultants, job order workers, and apprentices, are excluded.

Increased Recognition Across Sectors

Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman lauded the move as a holiday gift for government employees.
“This marks the first time in history that DepEd teachers will receive the full SRI—rising from ₱15,000 in 2022 and ₱18,000 in 2023 to ₱20,000 in 2024,” she said.

Similarly, PNP employees, who received ₱12,500 in 2023, and uniformed personnel from the AFP, BFP, BJMP, BuCor, Philippine Coast Guard, and NAMRIA will now receive the full ₱20,000 incentive.

The funding for the SRI will come from each agency’s available allotments, allowing them to determine the rate they can grant to employees.

The SRI aims to acknowledge government workers’ dedication to public service despite ongoing challenges, contributing to their morale and welfare.