BREAKING: Ejercito Seeks P5,000 Monthly PERA for Government Workers | SB 2540

Senate Bill 2540 proposes P3,000 increase after 17 years without adjustment

MANILA, Philippines — October 12, 2026 — Government employees may soon receive more economic relief as Senator JV Ejercito pushes for a significant increase in the monthly Personnel Economic Relief Allowance (PERA).

Senator JV Ejercito is pushing for a P3,000 increase in the monthly PERA to help employees cope with rising living costs. Under Senate Bill 2540, or the proposed PERA Adjustment Act, the senator seeks to raise the allowance from P2,000 to P5,000, benefiting more than three million public servants nationwide.

Stuck at P2,000 Since 2009

The current P2,000 PERA has remained unchanged since 2009. Ejercito said the purchasing power of the Philippine Peso has been severely affected by volatile energy prices, rising transport fares, and escalating cost of basic goods, making the current allowance insufficient.

FULL GUIDE: PERA of Government Employees 2026

Who Will Benefit?

The measure would provide additional financial support to teachers, health workers, agricultural personnel, law enforcement officers, soldiers, and administrative employees.

• Included: Appointive and elective, regular, contractual, casual, including military and uniformed personnel
• Excluded: Personnel stationed overseas with foreign service allowances

Automatic Yearly Increase

The bill proposes an automatic annual adjustment tied to inflation to preserve purchasing power.

₱500 increase in PERA in 2027

Meanwhile, government workers are pushing the government to raise the proposed PERA increase to P5,000, saying the P500 increase included in the proposed 2027 national budget is not enough to cover rapid increase in prices.

READ: Is the ₱500 PERA Increase 2027 Legit?

FAQs: P5,000 PERA Increase

How much is PERA currently?

PERA is currently P2,000 per month. It has not changed since 2009, or for 17 years.

How much is the proposed new PERA under Senate Bill 2540?

P5,000 per month. That’s an additional P3,000 or P36,000 extra per year. The bill is filed by Senator JV Ejercito as Senate Bill 2540, the PERA Adjustment Act.

Who is qualified to receive the P5,000 PERA?

All appointive and elective personnel in national and local government offices holding regular, contractual, and casual positions, including military and uniformed personnel. Government personnel assigned abroad who already receive foreign service allowance are excluded.

When will the P5,000 PERA take effect?

Not yet. SB 2540 is still a bill. It needs to pass the Senate, House of Representatives, and be signed by the President. The DBM will issue implementing guidelines once it becomes law.

Will there be an automatic annual increase?

Yes. Under SB 2540, PERA will have an automatic annual adjustment based on the inflation rate, so it won’t take another 17 years to adjust.