A TEACHERS’ group has welcomed the long-delayed approval of the 2023 Performance-Based Bonus (PBB) for qualified teaching and non-teaching personnel of the Department of Education (DepEd), following its confirmation by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the AO25 Task Force on October 7.

The group noted that although the release comes nearly two years late due to procedural hurdles and eligibility issues, it remains a positive development for teachers who have long awaited the incentive.

Teachers Dignity Coalition (TDC) Chairperson Benjo Basas said the group acknowledges the decision of the AO25 Task Force and the DBM to grant the long-awaited incentive, which he described as “a modest but meaningful recognition of the hard work of public school teachers.”

“We are grateful that the appeal of the DepEd was favorably considered and that our teachers will finally receive what they rightfully deserve. After all, we have nothing to do with the DepEd management’s shortcomings. This development validates our continued engagement with both the DBM and DepEd to ensure that teachers are not unfairly deprived of this benefit,” Basas said.

Basas noted that the TDC had held several meetings and dialogues with both DBM and DepEd officials on the matter, particularly after initial reports indicated that DepEd was deemed ineligible under the EO 61 Technical Working Group assessment.

“The approval is good news, but we also hope this serves as an opportunity to review the mechanisms that caused the delays and confusion in the first place,” he added.

The TDC reiterated its long-standing position that the current Results-Based Performance Management System (RPMS)—now transitioning to the Performance Management and Evaluation System (PMES)—has become overly complex and burdensome for teachers.

“Tying teachers’ incentives to a cumbersome and often unrealistic rating process is neither fair nor motivating. We continue to urge the government to simplify performance evaluation, perhaps by restoring or adapting the old Performance Appraisal System for Teachers (PAST), which was more objective and reflective of actual teaching work,” Basas stressed.