President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has approved a substantial increase in the daily subsistence allowance for all officers and enlisted personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), raising it from P150 to P350.
This adjustment, outlined in Executive Order (EO) 84, was signed by President Marcos on March 14 and announced publicly on Saturday. The P200 increase will be applied retroactively, starting from January 1, 2025.
“It is imperative to increase the Subsistence Allowance of all Officers and Enlisted Personnel of the AFP to protect and promote their welfare, in recognition of their sacrifices and perseverance in defending and upholding the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” EO 84 states.
The last adjustment to the subsistence allowance was made in 2015 under Congress Joint Resolution 5. According to EO 84, the previous amount is now insufficient to cover the daily needs of active-duty soldiers, which are essential for their well-being and operational effectiveness.
The increase will benefit a wide range of AFP personnel, including trainees, probationary second lieutenants or ensigns undergoing military training, Citizen Military Training cadets on summer camp training, reserve officers and enlisted reservists participating in training and mobilization tests, as well as members of the Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit and cadets.
Funding for the increase will be sourced from the available appropriations of the AFP under the 2025 General Appropriations Act, as well as other financial resources identified by the Department of Budget and Management. The AFP is also tasked with including the necessary funding for the continued implementation of this increase in future budget proposals.
EO 84 takes effect immediately upon its publication in the Official Gazette or any newspaper of general circulation.