President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has ordered an increase in the subsistence allowance for officers and enlisted personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Under Executive Order (EO) 84, signed on March 14, the subsistence allowance will retroactively increase from PhP150 to PhP350 on January 1, 2025.

“It is imperative to increase the Subsistence Allowance of all Officers and Enlisted Personnel of the AFP, to protect and promote their welfare, in recognition of their sacrifices and perseverance, in defending and upholding the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the order stated.

The EO said the current subsistence allowance of the military is “no longer adequate to meet the daily sustenance of an active-duty soldier, which is essential for their well-being and performance of their duties.”

The AFP’s subsistence allowance was last adjusted in 2015 pursuant to Congress Joint Resolution No. 5 (s. 2015).

The increase will also cover trainees and probationary second lieutenants/ensigns undergoing training, Citizen Military Training cadets, and reservists.

The funds needed to implement the increase will come from the available appropriations for the AFP under the General Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2025 (Republic Act No. 12116) and other funding sources identified by the Department of Budget and Management.

The AFP will also include the funding requirements for continuing to implement the increase in its future budget proposals.

The order will take effect immediately upon its publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation. | PND