DepEd savings for SRI allegedly hit P11,000 in first pooling, raising concerns over 20K maximum

DepEd savings for SRI allegedly hit P11,000 in first pooling, raising concerns over 20K maximum

Just days after President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. authorized a maximum ₱20,000 Service Recognition Incentive (SRI) for 2025, internal reports are causing anxiety among teaching and non-teaching personnel of the Department of Education (DepEd).

Social media posts circulating among DepEd employees claim that the initial phase of fund "pooling" has only consolidated enough savings to yield an amount equivalent to ₱11,000 per person. If verified, this figure would fall ₱9,000 short of the authorized maximum, necessitating a rapid and intensive second-round effort to secure the full incentive.

This scenario is common, as in previous years, the final amount of the SRI was often dependent on the actual savings accumulated by the agency, a process known as "pooling."

The reported ₱11,000 from the first round strongly implies that the current consolidated PS savings are insufficient to meet the ₱20,000 mandate.

For DepEd to avoid paying a lower rate, it must successfully execute a Second Round Pooling. This typically involves:

• Identifying and consolidating additional unobligated PS savings.
• Should the PS funds be insufficient, agencies are authorized to use Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE) savings as a secondary source of funding.

Pooling is the process by which the DepEd Central Office and its various Implementing Units (IUs)—such as Regional and Schools Division Offices (SDOs)—consolidate their available budget savings to fund the uniform SRI for all qualified employees nationwide.

DepEd is now tasked with ensuring the necessary funding mechanisms are finalized to implement the full ₱20,000 grant, either by identifying sufficient funds within their available PS allotments or by requesting charges against their Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE), as authorized by the AO.

DepEd officials are expected to release a comprehensive Memorandum or Advisory in the coming days, detailing the final, uniform amount for the 2025 SRI and the exact schedule of its release. This will confirm how the full P20,000 will be charged and disbursed across all regions and divisions.

DepEd Personnel should wait for the official advisory from the DepEd Central Office and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) for the confirmed final amount and release date of the 2025 Service Recognition Incentive.

AO No. 40, s. 2025: Key Details and Funding Guidelines

Administrative Order No. 40 establishes the framework for the 2025 SRI, with the following key provisions:

I. Maximum Amount and Eligibility

Maximum Rate: A uniform one-time SRI is authorized, not exceeding ₱20,000 per qualified employee.

Coverage: The incentive applies to civilian personnel of National Government Agencies (NGAs), including State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), and Government-Owned or -Controlled Corporations (GOCCs), regardless of whether they hold regular, contractual, or casual positions. Personnel of the uniformed services (AFP, PNP, BFP, etc.) are also included.

Qualification Requirements (as of November 30, 2025): 

Still in government service.
Have rendered at least four (4) months of satisfactory service.

Pro-Rated SRI: Employees who have rendered less than four (4) months of service as of November 30, 2025, shall receive a pro-rated amount of the incentive (e.g., 40% for three months but less than four months of service, 30% for two to less than three months, 20% for one to less than two months, and 10% for less than one month.).

Release Date: Payment of the SRI may be made not earlier than December 15, 2025.

II. Funding Sources

The AO provides clear guidance on where government agencies, including DepEd, must source the funds:

Primary Source: The SRI must be charged against the available 2025 Personnel Services (PS) funds as specified in the General Appropriations Act (GAA).

Secondary Source: Should the PS funds be insufficient, agencies are authorized to use Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE) savings as a secondary source.

Local Government Units (LGUs): LGUs may also grant an SRI of up to ₱20,000, subject to the approval of their respective sanggunians (councils) and their financial capacity, within the limits specified in the PS of the Local Government Code.

DepEd is now expected to accelerate its internal financial processes, including the final round of pooling, to ensure the full ₱20,000 is ready for disbursement to its personnel in time for the holiday season.

Source: Administrative Order No. 40, s. 2025, AUTHORIZING THE GRANT OF SERVICE RECOGNITION INCENTIVE TO GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025 - DOWNLOAD