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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Additional fund for AFP rice subsidy, healthcare to boost troop morale -- spox

Additional fund for AFP rice subsidy, healthcare to boost troop morale -- spox

Published Jan 19, 2024 06:17 am
AFP spokesperson Francel Margareth Padilla.jpg
AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla (Photo by Martin Sadongdong / MANILA BULLETIN)

The additional fund approved by Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to improve the food and healthcare benefits of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) personnel will enhance the morale of the troops, according to a military spokesperson.

Col. Francel Margareth Padilla, AFP spokesperson, thanked the Commander-in-Chief for prioritizing the welfare of the troops which, she noted, will help them in achieving their missions.

"The Armed Forces of the Philippines expresses its gratitude to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for his continuous support to the military," Padilla said in a public briefing on Friday, Jan. 19.

"The [additional fund] will greatly benefit the organization as we are focused on mission accomplishment and [enhancing the] welfare of our men. This [fund] falls under the category of [enhancing the] welfare of our men so this means so much to the military," she added.

Last Wednesday, Marcos met with ranking military and police officials for a New Year's call in Malacanang where he announced the approval of specific budget items to promote the well-being of the troops.

According to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), the Department of National Defense was allocated a P238,356,544,000 budget under the 2024 General Appropriations Act (GAA).

The budget includes a funding worth P893,693,000 for the rice subsidy of military personnel which is equivalent to 20 kilos of rice a month in the form of financial assistance, and P2,198,185,000 for the tertiary health care of the troops at the AFP Medical Center.

Meanwhile, Padilla said that the modernization program of the military, which is now on its third horizon, has yet to be approved by the Chief Executive.

"We are in the works of Horizon 1 and Horizon 2 projects and the Horizon 3 is up for approval. It is not yet approved as of now. But moving forward, we are looking at procuring more ships, more aircraft and improving our communications systems," she stated.

"Since it is in the planning stages, it is up to the technical working groups to look what are the viable solutions for the present threats that we are facing and also the shift from internal security operations to external defense," she added.

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