Teacher Maricel Pronto (left) with her colleagues sharing a light moment after serving in the May 12, 2025 national and local elections.
AS THE MARCOS administration started disbursing the midyear bonus to qualified government workers starting Thursday, May 15, Maricel Pronto, a dedicated public school teacher at Caloocan High School, is already planning how to make the most of this extra income. With years of experience in the education sector, she knows the value of budgeting and making smart financial decisions.
For Teacher Maricel, the midyear bonus is a welcome relief, equivalent to one month’s basic pay. She plans to use the bonus to pay off some of her outstanding debts, including a loan she took out to support her family’s needs.
“Siyempre lahat ng pwedeng tipirin gagawin, para makatipid at makabayad ng aking mga utang, at malaking tulong ang bonus na ito,” she said.
But Teacher Maricel is not just using the bonus to settle her debts. She’s also planning to allocate a portion of it towards her professional development by buying books, among others.
“Gusto kong bumili ng mga books o umatend sa mga online courses at workshop na makatutulong sa akin upang mapabuti ang aking mga kasanayan sa pagtuturo at maging updated sa mga pinakabagong technique sa edukasyon,” she explained.
Her decision to invest in her professional development is a wise one. As a teacher, she knows that continuous learning is essential to providing quality education to her students. By upgrading her skills, she’ll be able to better serve her students and make a more meaningful impact in their lives.
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has announced the release of the midyear bonus to qualified government workers, including civilian and military personnel, starting May 15, 2025. The bonus is equivalent to one month’s basic pay, and the government has earmarked P63.695 billion for this purpose.
For Teacher Maricel, the midyear bonus is not just a financial boost; it’s also a recognition of her hard work and dedication to her job. “Super saya ko sa bonus, at excited akong gamitin siya upang mapabuti hindi lang ang aking buhay kundi pati ang buhay ng aking mga estudyante,” she said.
As a government worker, Teacher Maricel is entitled to the midyear bonus because she has rendered at least four months of service from July 1 of the previous year to May 15 of the current year, and has obtained a satisfactory performance rating in the immediately preceding rating period.
Teacher Maricel’s story is a testament to the importance of budgeting, making smart financial decisions, and making the most of their midyear bonus. (JCO/PIA-NCR)
