SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Saturday welcomed and hailed the approval of Executive Order (EO) No. 84, which raises the subsistence allowance of Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) personnel from P150 to P350 per day.
“This is a well-deserved increase for our brave and dedicated soldiers who tirelessly defend our country. It is a concrete manifestation of our commitment to improving their welfare and recognizing their sacrifices for our nation,” Speaker Romualdez, who pushed the additional subsistence allowance under the 2025 national budget, said.
The increase, retroactive from Jan. 1, 2025, was approved by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. under EO 84, and will be funded under the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA), which the House of Representatives and the Senate worked to ensure included provisions for the welfare of uniformed personnel.
Speaker Romualdez said the adjustment aligns with the administration’s goal of uplifting the morale of uniformed personnel and ensuring that they receive adequate support for their daily needs.
“Natupad na ang ating pangako! Ang ating mga sundalo ay makatatanggap na ng mas mataas na subsistence allowance – mula P150 ay magiging P350 na kada araw o P10,500 kada buwan. Isa itong malaking hakbang para tiyakin na ang kanilang sakripisyo ay may katumbas na suporta mula sa ating pamahalaan,” Speaker Romualdez said.
He assured the AFP that this is only the beginning of more initiatives aimed at enhancing the benefits and support for uniformed personnel.
“Hindi ito ang huling hakbang natin. Patuloy nating ipaglalaban ang mga programang magbibigay ng mas maayos na kalagayan sa ating kasundaluhan – mula sa benepisyong pangkalusugan, pabahay at iba pang tulong para sa kanilang pamilya,” he said.
He reiterated that the House of Representatives will continue working closely with President Marcos and relevant agencies to ensure that the needs of the AFP are consistently met.
“Sa ilalim ng Bagong Pilipinas, titiyakin nating ang ating mga sundalo ay hindi pinapabayaan. Ang inyong serbisyo ay hindi malilimutan at ang gobyerno ay patuloy na magbibigay ng suporta na nararapat para sa inyo,” he said.
He emphasized that investing in the welfare of soldiers strengthens national security and contributes to a more stable country.
“Kapag maayos ang kalagayan ng ating sundalo, mas magiging matatag ang ating bansa. Ang pagtaas ng subsistence allowance na ito ay isang hakbang patungo sa mas matibay, mas maunlad, at mas ligtas na Pilipinas,” he said.
