Military and Uniformed Personnel Receive Long-Awaited Allowance Increase

After a decade-long wait, military and uniformed personnel in the Philippines are set to receive a significant boost in their daily subsistence allowance. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has fulfilled his directive to enhance the welfare of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) by approving an increase in the subsistence allowance from P150.00 to P350.00 per day, a P200.00 daily increment.

DBM Approves P16.89 Billion Fund Release

In line with the President’s mandate, Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman has authorized the release of P16.890 billion through a Special Allotment Release Order (SARO). The increase, retroactively effective January 1, 2025, was formalized under Executive Order No. 84, signed by President Marcos on March 14, 2025.

“This is a huge help for our soldiers and their families. Imagine, their last allowance increase was in 2015—ten years ago! Thanks to the swift approval of President Marcos, this long-overdue adjustment is finally happening,” Secretary Pangandaman remarked.

Addressing Soldiers’ Needs

The primary goal of the increase is to ensure that AFP personnel can adequately meet their daily subsistence needs. Recognizing the critical role that soldiers play in national defense and security, the administration deemed the previous allowance insufficient for their well-being and operational efficiency.

Under Section 1 of EO No. 84, the new allowance covers a broad spectrum of military personnel, including:

• Officers and enlisted personnel of the AFP
• Trainees and probationary second lieutenants/ensigns undergoing military training
• Citizen Military Training cadets in summer camp
• Reserve officers and enlisted reservists in training and mobilization tests
• Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU) members
• Military cadets
• A Commitment to Soldier Welfare

The AFP has emphasized that the subsistence allowance increase aligns with their ongoing efforts to enhance troop welfare. It serves as a testament to the government’s recognition of the sacrifices made by military personnel in protecting the nation's sovereignty and security.

The required funds for this adjustment will be sourced from the Personnel Services (PS) appropriation of relevant AFP agencies, including:

• Philippine Army
• Philippine Air Force
• Philippine Navy
• Philippine Marine Corps
• General Headquarters

A Decade in the Making

The journey to increasing the subsistence allowance has been long, with multiple studies and budget reviews preceding its approval. Now that it has been incorporated into the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA), AFP personnel can finally benefit from a more sustainable financial provision that acknowledges their dedication and service.

This milestone signals the administration’s commitment to improving the welfare of uniformed personnel and ensuring that those who dedicate their lives to national security receive the support they deserve.

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