The Office of the President welcomes the timely issuance by its Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the Commission on Audit (COA), an independent constitutional body, of Joint Circular No. 1, s. 2020.

The said circular lays down the general guidelines governing the compensation of our government workers under a contract of service (COS) or job order (JO) arrangement in connection with the imposition of a community quarantine in their areas to avert the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

The joint circular has been hoped for by our people as the document makes it clear that COS and JO workers in government who would not be able to work by reason of the community quarantine will still receive their corresponding salaries or wages as an exception the labor principle of “no work, no pay.”

The prompt efforts of COA and DBM would certainly alleviate the socioeconomic impact of COVID-19 against our people in the public sector who have been anxious of their situation. This is one less worry for them and their families.

As the Palace joins COA and DBM in encouraging local government units to adopt the guidelines specified in Joint Circular No. 1, s. 2020, it also trusts that its partners in the private sector will be inspired in providing the same policy to their workers under similar work arrangements.

Salvador S. Panelo
Chief Presidential Legal Counsel
& Presidential Spokesperson