Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Appropriation for National Government Agencies. – The amount of Twenty-seven billion pesos (P27,000,000,000.00), or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby appropriated to cover the funding requirements for the fourth and final year of implementation of the salary increases authorized by Joint Resolution No. 1, Series of 1994, for all national government personnel, including the uniformed personnel of the Department of National Defense and the Department of the Interior and Local Government, according to the following schedule:

1. Effective January 1, 1997 – Payment of fifty percent (50%) of the unimplemented balance as of December 31, 1996 of the basic pay corresponding to the Salary Grade concerned;
   
2. Effective November 1, 1997 – Payment of the remaining fifty percent (50%) of said unimplemented balance to effect full salary adjustment.
   

SEC. 2. Funding for Other Personnel. – For government owned and -controlled corporations, the amount needed to implement the aforesaid salary adjustment for their personnel shall come from their respective corporate funds. For local government units, the amount needed for the purpose shall be charged to their respective local funds.

SEC. 3. Basis of Retirement Benefits. – Government personnel who will compulsorily retire prior to November 1, 1997 shall be entitled to retirement benefits based on the full rate of implementation under Section 1(2) hereof.

SEC. 4. Prohibition. – The salary adjustment funded herein shall not benefit the President, the Vice-President and the Members of Congress.

SEC. 5. Implementing Guidelines. – The Department of Budget and Management shall issue the necessary guidelines for the implementation of the salary adjustment herein authorized.

SEC. 6. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect on January 1, 1997.

Approved, December 30, 1996.