Many public school teachers and government employees are eagerly awaiting the one-time annual Service Recognition Incentive (SRI) for 2025. This incentive, usually released near the end of the year, serves as a meaningful token of appreciation for the dedication and hard work of government employees. It recognises their continued commitment to public service and their vital role in achieving national development. In 2024, the SRI ranged from ₱10,000 to ₱20,000, depending on the agency’s available funds and the employee’s length of service. Most importantly, this can provide timely financial support, especially since many of us are facing unprecedented financial burdens due to inflation and the devastation caused by natural disasters.
As the new fiscal year begins, government employees await updates on SRI 2025—its amount, eligibility, and release schedule. Each year, the DBM and the Office of the President issue orders to guide its implementation. Beyond money, the SRI recognises the dedicated service of teachers, uniformed personnel, and civil servants who provide essential services to Filipinos.
Administrative Order (AO) 40 s. 2025 | SRI 2025
There is now an officially issued Administrative Order No. 40, series of 2025, which authorizes the grant of the Service Recognition Incentive (SRI) for Fiscal Year 2025. This AO provides the legal basis for all executive branch agencies to process and release the incentive. Under AO 40, qualified government personnel will receive a one-time SRI for 2025, with a uniform amount not exceeding ₱20,000 per employee, subject to the availability of agency funds and compliance with the guidelines set by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).
The order also specifies that the release of the SRI 2025 shall occur not earlier than December 15, 2025, allowing agencies to finalize funding requirements and prepare necessary payroll documents. Once all conditions are met, employees may expect the incentive to be distributed before the year ends. Overall, AO 40 s. 2025 confirms that SRI 2025 is officially approved and provides clear direction for its computation, funding, and release across the executive branch.
₱14,000 SRI First Tranche Already Credited
According to various social media posts, the Department of Education’s SRI 2025 is only ₱14,000. This has caused concern among employees, especially those who have already planned how to use their SRI or are wondering why the amount does not reach the maximum allowed ₱20,000. However, this information needs clarification. The amount ranging from ₱10,000 to ₱14,000 refers only to the first tranche of the SRI, which has already been credited in many School Division Offices (SDOs). This is not yet the final SRI amount.
Under Administrative Order No. 40, series of 2025, the maximum SRI is set at up to ₱20,000, subject to the availability of agency savings. The remaining balance needed to complete the ₱20,000 SRI is still in process, pending further pooling of savings and the release of additional allotments and Notices of Cash Allocation (NCAs).
2nd Tranche of SRI expected before New Year
Under DBM Budget Circular No. 2025-3, the government plans to release the Service Recognition Incentive (SRI) in two tranches and allow payments only from December 15 to 31, 2025, to properly obligate Personnel Services funds. Section 11.0 states that agencies must not release SRI earlier than December 15 or later than December 31, 2025.
Following this schedule, most School Division Offices (SDOs) already credited the first tranche of the SRI on December 20, allowing DepEd to comply with DBM rules and avoid the risk of funds being treated as accounts payable.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara directed the two-tranche rollout to ensure efficient fund utilization and prevent overdrafts, while acknowledging President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for approving the uniform ₱20,000 SRI rate. Regional and division offices are now coordinating with the DBM for allotment modifications, with the second tranche expected to be released before the end of the year, subject to the issuance of Notices of Cash Allocation (NCAs). The latest update is that SDO Masbate Province has credited the ₱5,500 SRI 2nd tranche.
Important Insights About FY 2024 SRI
Last December 10, 2024, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. directed the DBM to authorise the release of SRI. He also instructed the Department of Education to increase the Service Recognition Incentive (SRI) for FY 2024. This initiative seeks to raise the SRI for approximately 1,011,800 DepEd personnel from the current ₱18,000 to ₱20,000. The president directed both agencies to explore budgetary options to implement this increase while balancing fiscal responsibilities. DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara welcomed the move, calling it a much-needed morale boost for educators.
In recent fiscal years, the executive department provided employees with a Service Recognition Incentive (SRI) and a one-time rice allowance under AO 27 s. 2024. The SRI has significantly boosted the performance of government agencies in delivering public services. Many government employees, including DepEd personnel, now expect to receive this incentive for Fiscal Year 2024.
Summary of the Release of the SRI in Previous Years
Before we dive into the latest updates for the Service Recognition Incentive (SRI) 2025, let’s review its recent history. The SRI is a much-awaited annual reward for government employees, offering both financial support and recognition for their service. Its amount and guidelines have changed over time in line with government budgets and policies. The table below shows the SRI release history from FY 2019 to FY 2024, including administrative orders, authorised amounts, and release periods.
| Year | SRI Amount / Key Highlights | Authority & Timing |
|---|---|---|
| FY 2019 | Up to ₱10,000 for each qualified government employee. | Announcements made in late 2022 referenced the higher amount; however, documentation was not extensively cited in this context. |
| FY 2020 | Up to ₱10,000 | Announcements toward the late 2022 referenced the higher amount; documentation was not as extensively cited here. |
| FY 2022 | Reported increase (e.g., for some agencies, SRI increased; public announcement: from ₱15,000 in 2022 for some sectors) | Up to ₱20,000 (one‐time) is authorized for qualified government employees. |
| FY 2023 | Up to ₱20,000 for qualified employees; for the first time full amount is confirmed for certain sectors (e.g., public school teachers). | Administrative Order No. 12, s. 2023 signed Dec 7, 2023. Release “not earlier than December 15, 2023”. |
| FY 2024 | Up to ₱20,000 for qualified employees; for the first time full amount confirmed for certain sectors (e.g., public school teachers). | Administrative Order No. 27, s. 2024 dated Dec 12, 2024. Guidelines via Budget Circular No. 2024‑7 dated Dec 16, 2024. Disbursement begins December 15, 2024. |
Related Teaching Resources
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- 3rd Periodical Test Questionnaire and TOS
- Daily Lesson Log (DLL)
- Lesson Exemplars (LE)
- Modules and LEAP
- Learning Activity Sheets (LAS)
- Lesson PowerPoint (PPT)
- Reading Materials for Remediation