DBM to agencies: Pay year-end bonuses on time

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) is reminding government agencies to ensure the timely payment of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Year-End Bonus and P5,000 Cash Gift to qualified government personnel, stressing that both benefits must be released together with the first November salary, not through a separate or later payroll.

A total of P82.998 billion has been allocated for the two benefits, covering qualified civilian and military and uniformed personnel across government.

Qualified government employees

Under DBM Budget Circular No. 2024-3, dated 22 October 2024, qualified government employees are entitled to a Year-End Bonus equivalent to one month’s basic pay as of 31 October 2026, plus a P5,000 Cash Gift, subject to the prescribed eligibility requirements.

The DBM Secretary emphasized that the funds have already been released to concerned agencies, and that government workers should receive their benefits without unnecessary delay.

“Ang Year-End Bonus po ng mga government employees na katumbas ng one month basic salary, kasama ang P5,000 Cash Gift, ay dapat matanggap kasabay ng first salary for November. Na-release na po ng DBM ang pondo para rito, kaya (The year end bonus of government employees equivalent to one month salary along with P5,000 Cash Gift would be received on the first salary for November. The DBM has already released funds for this). We want to remind our agencies to ensure the timely release of these benefits,” Secretary Kim said.

“Alam po natin na malaking tulong ito sa ating mga kawani at kanilang pamilya, especially ngayong papalapit na ang Pasko. (We know this is a big help to employees and their families as Christmas nears). More importantly, this is our way of recognizing and thanking our government workers for their hard work, dedication, and continued service to the Filipino people,” he added.

Four months of aggregate service

To qualify for the full Year-End Bonus and Cash Gift, government personnel must have rendered at least four months of aggregate service, equivalent to 120 days, from 1 January to 31 October 2026, and must remain in government service as of 31 October 2026.

Qualifying service includes actual service rendered in regular, contractual, or casual positions in the national or local government, including authorized leaves of absence with pay.

The DBM clarified that the appropriations for both benefits had already been fully released to concerned agencies at the beginning of FY 2026. The actual payment date depends on each agency’s payroll schedule, subject to the requirement that the benefits be paid simultaneously with the first November payroll.

Of the total allocation, P73.449 billion is intended for the Year-End Bonus, while P9.549 billion covers the P5,000 cash gift.

Timely release of benefits an obligation

The DBM reiterated that the timely release of these benefits is an obligation under existing government compensation policies and urged concerned agencies to comply with the prescribed payment schedule.