By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
Recognizing the valiant efforts of the men and women at the frontlines of national security, the Marcos Jr. administration steps up support for more than 583,000 military and uniformed personnel (MUPs), which would take effect next year.
Under the proposed FY 2027 National Budget, P73.67 billion has been provided for the subsistence requirement of MUPs, alongside funding for higher salaries, additional personnel, healthcare and other benefits, as well as stronger equipment and operational capabilities for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP).
The 5% pay hike forms part of the second tranche of the adjusted base pay for MUPs under Executive Order No. 107 and is scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2027.
Apart from an increased base pay and daily subsistence allowance for AFP personnel, the state’s military organization is set to receive P316.71 billion, a 6.85% budget increase compared to its 2026 budget allocation.
Of the P316 billion, P50 billion will be funneled towards the Revised AFP Modernization Program, which would support personnel welfare and timely equipment upgrades to keep up with evolving threats.
Budget Secretary Kim Robert de Leon expounded, “Mas mataas ito kung ikukumpara natin doon sa 2026 level ng GAA na P40 billion dahil maraming kailangang habulin to increase the capability of our AFP through the Revised AFP Modernization Program.”
The government is likewise increasing resources for AFP Personnel Services, Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE), and capital outlays to strengthen the capability of troops to fulfill their mission and defend the country’s sovereignty.
Stronger support for police personnel
Moreover, apart from boosting support to soldiers, the PNP is also slated to receive the same treatment through a proposed budget of P242.53 billion in 2027—an increase of nearly P16 billion compared to the 2026 budget allocation.
The P242 billion budget is further broken down into these key components:
- P210.55 billion (personnel services)
- P100.55 billion (adjusted base pay)
- P28.67 billion (P350 daily subsistence allowance of 224,421 PNP personnel)
- P697.18 million (hiring of 2,000 additional patrol personnel)
- P2.18 billion (filling of currently unfilled uniformed positions)
- P1.74 billion (rice subsidy)
- P280.67 million (hospitalization and healthcare of PNP personnel and their dependents)
- P125.11 million (Bantay Kaisipan Health Program)
- P2 billion (PNP Capability Enhancement Program)
- P3.12 billion (ICT)
- P1.49 billion (infrastructure projects)
Altogether, these items for the proposed 2027 budget of the 228,000-strong organization are set to strengthen manpower, support their welfare, and increase the availability of resources needed for them to exercise their duties more effectively.
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) official concluded, “Patuloy ang pagpapaayos natin ng mga kampo, ng ating mga police station and regional headquarters. At iyong MOOE natin actually tumaas ng 10% from P23 billion this year to P25.7 billion next year para iyong lahat ng pangangailangan ng ating mga police ay ma-cover.”
av
