Aquino OKs higher allowance for cops, soldiers

MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino III has approved a joint congressional resolution raising the daily subsistence allowance of policemen, soldiers and other uniformed personnel.

In a press briefing on Monday, Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda confirmed that Aquino signed on Friday the joint resolution increasing military and police subsistence allowance from P90 to P150 per day.

Besides the military and the police, the resolution also raises the daily subsistence allowance of the personnel of the Bureau of Fire Protection, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Philippine Coast Guard, National Mapping and Resource Information Authority and cadets of the Philippine National Police Academy.

Citing a provision of the joint resolution, Lacierda said the previous P90-allowance "was no longer adequate" to meet the basic needs of uniformed personnel due to the increasing prices of basic commodities.

"Ito po ay isang magandang hakbang para sa ating uniformed personnel," Lacierda also said.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines welcomed the higher daily subsistence allowance, saying it will be felt by soldiers.

"It is highly welcome and we were waiting for that to happen for quite a long time. As you know yung mga mga sundalo natin pinagkakasya lang 'yung P90 eh alam naman natin na nagtaasan na lahat ng mga bilihin, so, malaking bagay ito," Lt. Col Harold M. Cabunoc, AFP spokesperson.

He lamented that the daily subsistence allowance for soldiers was last increased during the term of former President Joseph Estrada.

"Meron kaming biruan, like number 10 'yung ulam, 'yung isang tuyo at isang itlog. Maybe this time, ma-improve naming 'yun. Yung mas nutritious naman dahil napakahirap ng sundalo, lalo na  yung nasa field," Cabunoc told reporters in an interview, a transcript of which was sent to the Malacañang Press Corps.