House leader vows to increase soldiers' daily allowance to P350

MANILA – House of Representatives Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Saturday assured soldiers and all members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) that the Marcos administration would push for a more than 100 percent increase in their daily subsistence allowance in 2025.

"Next year, expect to receive a higher daily subsistence allowance from your government. Mula P150 per day, dodoblehin natin ang daily subsistence allowance ninyo. Ang target natin, maitaas natin ito hanggang P350 per day (From P150 per day, we will double your daily subsistence allowance to up to P350 per day)," he told soldiers at Camp Nakar in Lucena City.

Romualdez, together with other leaders of the House, joined officers and men of the AFP's Southern Luzon Command, led by its commander, Lt. Gen. Facundo Palafox IV, for a fellowship.

He noted that at the instruction of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the increase, which would entail P15 billion in additional funding, would be included in the 2025 national budget.

"Bilang inyong Speaker, sisiguruhin ko na mailalagay ang pondong ito sa 2025 National Budget na tinatalakay namin ngayon alinsunod sa kautusan ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos (As your Speaker, I will ensure that the funds will be included in the 2025 National Budget that we are currently scrutinizing in compliance with the order of President Marcos)," he said.

Romualdez said he and his colleagues in the House are aware of the sacrifices of soldiers and their families for the country, thus, they want to reciprocate this "by bringing comfort to your lives."

The House has already passed on the third and final reading a measure that institutionalizes a sustainable pension system for veterans and military retirees, while measures to provide quality health care and legal assistance for military personnel in the lawful performance of their duties are also being pushed.

He said the House likewise remains committed to supporting the AFP Modernization Program to improve the nation's overall defense posture.

"We are also exploring resources to further strengthen archipelagic defense and international alliances in the face of modern-day security challenges," he said.

At the same time, Romualdez committed funding for areas that have been declared communist insurgency-free.

He urged local officials, from governors to barangay captains, to help the national government in sustaining peace and preventing the resurgence of armed groups.

He also acknowledged the soldiers' "hard work and sacrifices for the defense of our national sovereignty."

"Sa mga okasyong ito, naipapaabot namin, sampu ng mga kapwa nating Pilipino, ang aming taos-pusong pasasalamat sa inyo sa lahat ng inyong mga sakripisyo – mga sakripisyong ginagawa ninyo para bantayan at siguruhin ang pambansang seguridad at soberenya (In these occasions, we, and all fellow Filipinos, are able to extend our heartfelt gratitude to you for all your sacrifices – the sacrifices you make to defend and ensure national security and sovereignty)," Romualdez said. (PNA)