Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Friday said the House of Representatives will increase by more than double the daily subsistence allowance of soldiers in the 2025 national budget.
The Speaker made the announcement during the fellowship between House officials and military officers and men led by Deputy Chief of Staff LtGen Charlton Sean Gaerlan, representing AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Romeo Brawner Jr., at the Naval Operating Base in Subic, Zambales Friday morning.
“Now, I’ll give you this brief announcement that I hope will make you happy. We, the House of Representatives, have already undertaken that in the forthcoming budget, we shall now include a P15-billion package that will more than double your 150-peso subsistence allowance to 350,” said Romualdez, eliciting applause and cheers from the soldiers.
“I repeat, we are more than doubling your subsistence allowance, and that is in due recognition for the overdue increase that we think you have deserved for a long time. And we saw it fit to do this immediately in the forthcoming budget,” he added.
With Romualdez during the event were House Appropriations Committee Chairman and Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Elizaldy Co, Zambales 1st District Rep. Jefferson Khonghun, and Camiguin Lone District Rep. Jurdin Jesus Romualdo.
Romualdez said the move to increase the subsistence allowance manifests the solid commitment of the House in taking care not only of the needs of soldiers but of their families as well.
“Know that the House of Representatives recognizes the enormity of the problem and is taking concrete steps to ensure that you have all you need to do your duty and accomplish your mission, free from the constraints that hamper your ability to defend our shores,” he told the AFP officers and men.
“We know your sacrifices, as well as your family’s. We recognize it and value it,” he said.
“It is the obligation of your government to make sure that you are capable enough to defend our people. It is also our mission to take care of your loved ones while you are in the field,” the Speaker said.
The leader of the 308-strong House pointed out that the welfare of soldiers is important to him and his colleagues.
“You are the most important component of our national defense. It is for this reason that we actively pushed for the passage of a sustainable fiscal framework for the pension system of military personnel,” he added.
The Speaker also reaffirmed his commitment that under his watch, the operations of the Armed Forces, and its modernization efforts, shall continue to have adequate budgetary support in 2025 and in the years ahead.
Romualdez also thanked the Navy personnel for being the “vanguards of Philippine maritime security.”
“We salute you for all your efforts and sacrifices to maintain our territorial integrity and uphold our national sovereignty,” he said.
Speaker Romualdez highlighted two measures the House has passed to strengthen the military and the country’s national defense: the bill institutionalizing a Philippine self-reliant defense posture program and the recently enacted New Government Procurement Act.
He said the self-reliant defense program “enhances the capability and operational readiness of the troops by developing and producing indigenous defense equipment, reducing reliance on foreign suppliers.”
“It ensures cost-effectiveness and quick access to necessary resources, tailored to the specific needs of the military. Additionally, the SRDP boosts national security, innovation, and morale by fostering self-sufficiency and national pride in locally produced defense technologies,” he said.
On the other hand, Congress, through the new procurement law, Republic Act No. 12009, which the President recently signed, made sure that the military establishment “is finally able to undertake procurement activities under guidelines that are different from those that govern the procurement activities of other government agencies,” he added.
The House leader ended his remarks by quoting President Kennedy:
“Our goal is not the victory of might, but the vindication of right; not peace at the expense of freedom, but both peace and freedom.”
“With peace and freedom, we can better pursue development,” he told the soldiers.
