PRESS RELEASE : Distribution of teachers Christmas bonus almost complete

The Department of Education (DepEd) reports that the distribution of Productivity Enhancement Incentive (PEI) to public school teachers is proceeding well and expected to be completed by Friday.

“Our finance personnel are working round- the-clock to ensure that teachers have something to take home in time for Christmas,” said Education Secretary Armin Luistro. To ensure that teachers get their PEI before Christmas, DepEd already made initial preparations in anticipation of fund transfer from DBM.

As of Monday (December 19), reports from the field indicate that DepEd offices in Regions 1, 2, 7, Central Luzon (Region 3) and the Cordillera Administrative Region have completed payment of the bonus to teachers.

Education officials in Regions 4A, 5, 6, 11, and Caraga expect to complete payments today while public school teachers in Regions 4B, 9, and the National Capital Region (NCR) will receive their incentives by Tuesday (December 20).

Meanwhile other regions (8, 10, 11 and 12) are working hard to pay out the incentives before Friday.

“We are working closely with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to remedy any cause for delay and to make sure problems are swiftly resolved,” Luistro said.

The P10,000 PEI is commonly referred to as the Christmas bonus.

Funds are transferred directly from DBM Regional Offices to DepEd’s implementing units. These are the central, regional, and division offices and some secondary schools that are authorized to manage funds released to them in accordance with DBM and Commission on Audit rules and regulations.