Salary Standardization Law takes more than it gives –DOST, science groups

Various science groups are arguing against the Salary Standardization Law of 2015 (SSL 2015), claiming that some of its provisions threaten to undermine Republic Act 8439 or the Magna Carta (MC) benefits for science workers.

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Philippine Weathermen Employee Association (PWEA), and Alyansa ng mga Grupong Haligi ng Agham at Teknolohiya para sa Mamamayan (AGHAM) jointly oppose repealing or amending R.A. 8439 in favor of the SSL 2015.

In a statement, the DOST shared the result of their survey showing that "4,850 or 88.42 percent of the 5,485 S & T workforce will not feel the effects of the salary increase" if the MC is repealed. According to Joy Lazcano, president of the Science and Technology Information Institute Employees Association, science works would receive an P3,700 increase in salary, but will lose P5,000 from the MC benefits.

"The proposed increase in salary of the SSL 2015 will amount to nothing if they take away our MC benefits," Lazcano said, adding, "The provision under SSL 4 threatening to repeal R.A 8439 is a proof that not the entire government recognizes and truly understood the value of science and technology in contributing to the Philippine economy."

He claims that provisions provided in sections 8, 13 and 20 of the SSL threaten "fold" the MC benefits into the new salary rate or eliminate the benefits entirely, at the Department of Budget and Management's discretion.

AGHAM President Angelo Palmones echoed Lazcano's sentiments and argued that the government should make an effort to provide incentives for Filipino scientists to stay in the country.

"The science community and science advocates worked hard for years for the passage of R.A. 8439. Its implementation is one way of sustaining and maintaining necessary talent and manpower for S & T," Palmones said.

Lazcano cited the improvement of the country's agriculture sector and their efforts in disaster mitigation to highlight the importance of providing sufficient funds to employ science workers and said, "Let us remind them that no country has ever attained progress without science, technology, and its human capital." — Aya Tantiangco/TJD, GMA News