25% Increase in Combat Duty Pay For Enlisted AFP Personnel – Legarda

SENATOR LOREN LEGARDA TODAY RECOMMENDED AN INCREASE IN COMBAT DUTY PAY OF ALL ENLISTED PERSONNEL OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES TO AS MUCH AS TWENTY-FIVE PERCENT (25%) OF THEIR BASE PAY.
“Current computations peg the combat duty pay of officers and enlisted personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) at a measly P240.00 per month. This insignificant amount hardly reflects a recognition on the part of government that while soldiers are in a combat zone, they are in an immediate state of danger and, therefore, deserve special compensation.”
“The hard reality is that our uniformed personnel remain among the lowest paid public servants.”
Legarda clarified, “While their salary follows the basic salary standardization scheme, the dangerous circumstances under which they sometimes perform their duties in the combat zone entitles them to additional remuneration in the form of combat pay.
“The Constitution recognizes the significant role of our Armed Forces as the protector of the people, tasked to secure the sovereignty of the State and the integrity of the national territory. With the enormity of these tasks, there arises a need to uphold professionalism in the Armed Forces and ensure the adequate remuneration of its members.”
“The last increase of the Combat Duty Pay was effected some 22 years ago through Executive Order No. 1017 dated 22 March 1985. It is high time that the computation be reviewed and, if necessary, adjusted,” Legarda concluded.