The Department of Budget and Management (DBM), the Civil Service Commission (CSC) and the Governance Commission for Government-Owned or -Controlled Corporations (GCG) have signed a joint circular to ensure the effective implementation of guidelines for the granting of night shift differential pay to government employees.

Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, CSC chairperson Karlo Alexei Nograles and GCG chairperson Alex Quiroz signed the joint circular in a ceremony at the DBM Central Office in San Miguel, Manila on Tuesday.

In her speech, Pangandaman said the signing of the joint circular will pave the way for the “uniformed” interpretation, as well as for the “effective and efficient” enactment of the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 11071.

“I am thrilled to be part of another important milestone that recognizes the hard work, sacrifice and dedication of our government workers who in the name of public service are extending all the help they can give to the Filipino people 24/7,” she said.

“This is your government appreciating all of you, our modern-day heroes who are going the extra mile and working longer hours out of their sheer sense of public service and are greatly contributing to the reactivation of our country,” Pangandaman added.

Nograles said the ceremonial signing of the joint circular is an important step in recognizing and appreciating the hard work of night shift civil servants, especially those who often work during the late hours due to “challenging circumstances,” including the coronavirus pandemic.

He said providing a “fair” compensation to government workers is a testament to the government’s deep appreciation for their services and unwavering commitment to public service.

“We reaffirm our commitment to fostering a fair and equitable work environment in government. This policy aims to uplift the well-being of our government employees and ensure that their efforts during the night shifts are justly rewarded,” Nograles said.

Under RA 11701 signed by former president Rodrigo Duterte on April 13, 2022, a night shift differential pay is granted to government employees including those in GOCCs working between the hours of 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.

The night shift differential pay provided under the law will be in addition to and will not in any way diminish whatever benefits and allowances are presently enjoyed by government employees.

The hourly basic rate refers to the basic salary rate per hour derived by dividing the basic monthly rate by 22 working days and dividing the quotient derived by eight hours.

RA 11701 does not cover government employees whose scheduled office hours fall between 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Services rendered beyond the regular eight-hour work schedules are paid overtime pay in accordance with existing laws, rules, and regulations.

Also not covered are government employees whose services are required, or are on call, 24 hours a day such as uniformed personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, the Bureau of Fire Protection and other similarly situated as may be determined by the CSC and the DBM.

In February this year, the CSC issued the IRR of RA 11701 granting night shift differential pay to government employees. (PNA)