THE Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has approved the issuance of a Special Allotment Release Order (SARO) for P16.89 billion to cover funds required to increase the subsistence allowance (SA) of military personnel.
DBM said the release of funds is prescribed under Executive Order No. 84, which was signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on March 14. The order retroactively increases the allowance from P150 to P350 a day effective Jan 1, 2025.
“This is a big help to the families of our soldiers. Imagine, the last time they received an allowance increase was back in 2015, or a decade ago,” Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said in a statement yesterday.
“The adjustment to the subsistence allowance of our military personnel has been under review for a long time. We are pleased that it has been approved in our 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA),” she added.
EO No. 84 has noted that the current SA of Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) personnel is no longer adequate to meet the daily subsistence of an active-duty soldier, which is essential for their well-being and the performance of their duties.
The DBM said the increase in the SA of the AFP aims to protect and promote their welfare and recognize their sacrifices and perseverance in defending and upholding the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The P200 per day increase will benefit officers and enlisted personnel of the AFP, including trainees and probationary second lieutenants/ensigns undergoing military training, citizen military training cadets on summer camp training and reserve officers and enlisted reservists undergoing training and assembly/mobilization test, citizen armed force geographical unit members, and cadets.
The DBM said the total requirement will be charged against the available Personnel Services appropriation of concerned agencies under the AFP, such as the Philippine Army, Philippine Air Force, Philippine Navy (PN), PN Naval Forces, Philippine Marine Corps, and General Headquarters.
