Co-Sponsorship Speech: Joint Resolution Authorizing the Increase in the Base Pay of Military and Uniformed Personnel in the Government

Co-Sponsorship Speech of Senator Loren Legarda
Joint Resolution Authorizing the Increase in the Base Pay of Military and Uniformed Personnel in the Government
12 December 2017 | Senate Session Hall

Mr. President,

I wish to register my support and co-sponsor Senate Joint Resolution No. 11 under Committee Report No. 192, Joint Resolution Authorizing the Increase in the Base Pay of Military and Uniformed Personnel in the Government.

Tasked to be where the threats and dangers are, we cannot overemphasize the value of the arduous mission our soldiers and policemen have to undertake in order to maintain peace and order by protecting the people and the State from lawless violence, invasion, rebellion, terrorist acts and other activities that might affect public safety and bring harm to the independence of our nation.

While in the past, we have been supporting the funding for additional allowance for the military and police, it is about time that their base pay is increased to better compensate for the hazards they face in the course of performing their duties.

While our soldiers, policemen and other uniformed personnel in the government perform their noble duty to protect our nation and ensure that our people are safe, we must also fulfill our part to protect them and their families by ensuring that their most basic and pressing needs are addressed through adequate remuneration.

Mr. President, we have already provided funding for the increase in the base pay of military and uniformed personnel in the government under the 2018 General Appropriations Bill.

It is in this light that I co-sponsor this Resolution and urge my colleagues to render their unequivocal support for the immediate passage of the measure.

Thank you, Mr. President.