In a recent announcement, the Department of Education (DepEd) revealed that teachers might finally receive their long-awaited 2021 performance-based bonus (PBB) within the next two to three weeks. However, there is a catch. Education Assistant Secretary Francis Bringas clarified that this timeline is contingent upon the immediate submission of the revised forms required by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) from all 15 remaining regions.
As of now, only five regions, namely Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Cordillera Administrative Region, Mimarapo, and Calabarzon, have successfully submitted the necessary form (Form 1.0) to the DBM, as stated by Bringas during a DZBB radio interview. Without the completion of this crucial step, the DBM cannot proceed with the processing of the PBB.
“The DBM’s processing for all regions will take approximately two to three weeks due to the large number of DepEd recipients. They need to process the PBB for 15 regions, which typically takes two to three weeks,” Bringas explained.
The delay in the PBB release can be attributed to several issues found within the submitted forms. Some forms contain duplicate entries, while others list personnel who are not present in the department’s official Plantilla of Personnel and Personal Services Itemization.
Teachers based in Metro Manila may receive their PBB earlier than those in other regions. The DBM has already issued a Special Allotment Release Order and Notice of Cash Allocation worth P950.9 million to DepEd for school-based personnel eligible for the bonus in the capital.
However, the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) expressed disappointment and frustration over the continued delay in releasing the PBB incentive. ACT chairperson Vladimer Quetua criticized DepEd for failing to process the bonus in a timely manner despite teachers having worked for it in 2021. Quetua emphasized that the PBB is already two years overdue and blamed DepEd for the additional delay caused by incorrect form submissions to the DBM.
The education sector and teachers across the country eagerly await the resolution of these issues, hoping that the PBB will be distributed promptly to recognize the hard work and dedication of educators nationwide.
