Good news for teachers and school workers as the Department of Education (DepEd) announced it will start releasing year-end incentives to its personnel nationwide.
The incentive package covers several benefits, including the Service Recognition Incentive (SRI), Productivity Enhancement Incentive (PEI), Collective Negotiation Agreement (CNA) incentive for eligible staff, and gratuity pay for contract-based workers.
In all, about one million DepEd employees — both teaching and non-teaching personnel — are set to benefit.
Under the program, teachers and non-teaching personnel will receive P20,000 in SRI and P5,000 in PEI. Eligible non-teaching staff will also get an additional P10,000 CNA incentive, while contract of service and job order workers will receive gratuity pay ranging from P4,000 to P7,000, depending on the length of service.
DepEd said the SRI will be released in tranches, starting this December. The initial payout will range from P10,000 to P14,500, with the remaining balance to follow once the request for modification of allotments is approved.
Those qualified for the SRI include DepEd personnel with regular, contractual, and co-terminus appointments across central, regional, division and school offices.
Meanwhile, the PEI, mandated under Executive Order 201, will be given to eligible personnel on top of other bonuses and incentives, as part of efforts to boost productivity in government service.
DepEd also confirmed that gratuity pay for contract of service and job order workers will be handled by the central and regional offices under their respective arrangements.
As for the CNA incentive, funds will be set aside this year, but the P10,000 payout for eligible non-teaching personnel is scheduled for January 2026.
The agency said the incentives are meant to recognize the continued service and dedication of teachers and staff as the year comes to a close.