House panel OKs joint reso increasing base pay for military, uniformed personnel

The House Committee on Appropriations has approved a joint resolution which seeks to increase the base pay of military and uniformed personnel (MUP) in the government.

In its meeting on Tuesday, the House panel approved House Joint Resolution No. 18, authorizing the increase in the base pay of military and police personnel, as well as other uniformed government personnel.

The resolution highlighted the need to adjust the salary package of the MUP for it to better compensate for their role in maintaining national security and peace and order.

The modified Base Pay Schedule will apply to all military personnel under the Department of National Defense and uniformed personnel under the Department of Interior and Local Government, the Philippine Coast Guard, and the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority.

The modified Base Pay Schedule is as follows:

Military and uniformed personnel will also be entitled to a fixed hazard pay of P540 per month.

If approved, the modified Base Pay Schedule will be implemented beginning January 1, 2018.

Magdalo party-list Representative Gary Alejano welcomed this development, but said retirees and veterans should be included in the measure.

"Failure to consider this would undermine existing laws which provide that retired military and uniformed personnel receive the same increase in benefits whenever the salaries of those in active duty are upgraded," he said.

Meanwhile, ACT Teachers party-list Representative Antonio Tinio called on the Duterte administration to implement the pay hike not only for military and uniformed personnel, but for all government personnel.

"The Duterte administration must address the legitimate demand of civilian government employees for substantial salary increases. Majority of them are clerks, utility workers, public school teachers, nurses, social workers and other rank and file employees who also have the same needs like uniformed personnel," Tinio said.

"They have the same right to be recognized and rewarded for their hard work as our soldiers and police officers, the same right to a decent life," he added. — BM, GMA News