DBM Issues Circular on Revised Staffing Standards for SUCs' Research and Auxiliary Units
AdministrationThe Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has issued National Budget Circular (NBC) No. 598, dated July 15, 2025, outlining the “Revised Organization and Staffing Standards (OSS) for SUCs – Phase II.” This new directive provides the general policies and implementation guidelines for the second phase of the revised OSS, specifically covering two critical areas in State Universities and Colleges (SUCs)—the Office of Research and External Linkages and the Auxiliary Services. NBC No. 598 builds on the previous phase of OSS reform, aiming to rationalize, professionalize, and strengthen institutional staffing structures aligned with evolving mandates of SUCs in research, innovation, and external partnerships, as well as support services critical to student welfare and campus operations. The circular provides the detailed staffing patterns and position standards that SUCs may adopt, subject to evaluation and approval by DBM, and is seen as part of broader efforts to enhance operational efficiency, functional relevance, and human resource development within the higher education sector. DBM emphasized that the implementation of the revised OSS must observe fiscal discipline, adhere to the principles of merit and fitness, and remain consistent with national development priorities.
