House OKs pay hike for soldiers, cops, uniformed personnel on final reading

The House of Representatives on Monday approved on third and final reading a joint resolution seeking to increase the base pay of soldiers and other uniformed personnel (MUP) in the government.

With a vote of 167 in the affirmative, four in the negative and zero abstentions, the chamber approved House Resolution No. 18, authorizing the increase in the base pay of personnel from the military, the police, and other uniformed government personnel.

Under the measure, all military personnel under the Department of National Defense and uniformed personnel under the Department of Interior and Local Government, Philippine Coast Guard and National Mapping and Resource Information Authority will be covered by a modified base pay schedule.

The modified Base Pay Schedule will be implemented in two years, starting January 1,2018 for uniformed personnel from the rank of candidate soldier to chief master sergeant and their equivalent ranks.

Meanwhile, the ranks of first chief master sergeant up to general and their equivalent ranks will experience the hike starting January 1, 2019.

Aside from this, military and uniformed personnel will also be entitled to a fixed hazard pay of P540 per month.

Magdalo party-list Representative Gary Alejano, a former military officer, welcomed the approval of the measure.

"The sooner our veterans and retirees can enjoy the same increase on their pensions, the better. The Magdalo vows to keep track the progress of the joint resolution and its implementation thereafter," he said in a statement.

"I commend this measure to increase base pay of our uniformed personnel. However, I hope that this is not meant to buy AFP’s loyalty; rather, it is a genuine effort to boost their morale for more efficient service to the Filipino people," Alejano added. —KBK, GMA News