Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman has approved the issuance of a special allotment release order (SARO) amounting to over ₱16.9 billion to cover the funding requirements for increasing the subsistence allowance (SA) of military personnel.
Pangandaman said in a March 19 statement that this is the first time in 10 years that the national government has increased the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) allowance.
“This is a big help for the families of our soldiers. Imagine, the last time they received an allowance increase was back in 2015—nearly a decade ago,” Pangandaman said, attributing this development to President Marcos’ swift approval of Executive Order (EO) No. 84 authorizing the increase in allowance for AFP personnel.
Raising the AFP’s allowance stemmed from reports that the “current subsistence allowance of 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.
Pangandaman noted that the adjustment to the SA for military personnel had been under review for some time. This change has eventually been included in the ₱6.352-trillion 2025 national budget.
Under Section 1 of the EO, the subsistence allowance for AFP officers and enlisted personnel—including trainees, cadets, reservists, and other military trainees—will be raised from ₱150 to ₱350 per day—an increase of ₱200 daily—effective Jan. 1, 2025.
This retroactive salary increase means that AFP personnel will receive back pay from that date.
“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 DBM said.
The release of funds is prescribed under EO 84, which was signed by the President last March 14.
The funding for the allowance increase will be sourced from the personnel services (PS) budget of AFP agencies, including the Philippine Army, Air Force, Navy, Naval Forces, Marine Corps, and General Headquarters.