DBM denies delay in pay hikes for MUPs

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) on Wednesday dismissed claims of delayed pay hikes for military and uniformed personnel (MUPs) as it maintained that salary increases and pensions remain fully funded in the 2026 budget.

According to DBM acting secretary Rolando Toledo, what was said to have been removed from the personal services requirements under unprogrammed appropriations was merely transferred from the Miscellaneous Personal Benefit Fund to the respective agency budgets.

“Alam po namin ang sakripisyo ninyo. Alam namin na walang time-out ang panganib na habang ang bansa ay natutulog, kayo ang gising; habang ang bayan ay ligtas, kayo naman ang nasa unahan ng panganib,” he said in a briefing.

(We know your sacrifices. We know that danger has no time-out—that while the nation sleeps, you stay awake; while the people are safe, you stand on the front lines of risk.)

“Kaya malinaw po ang mensahe ng fiscal year 2026 national budget – nakikita namin kayo, naririnig namin kayo at hindi namin kayo kailanman kalilimutan at pababayaan,” he added.

(That is why the message of the Fiscal Year 2026 national budget is clear: we see you, we hear you, and we will never forget or neglect you.)

?This comes as President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. reduced unprogrammed funds in the 2026 general appropriations act (GAA) to an “absolute bare minimum.” The proposed budget previously had P50 billion for the revised modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Toledo, however, clarified that there is clear funding for the first tranche of the base pay increase for MUPs, as P71.1 billion has been allocated to ensure the continuous implementation of enhanced benefits.

“Alam po namin na ang pagtaas ng subsistence allowance ng ating mga MUPs ay hindi luho, hindi pabor kung hindi isang matinding pagkilala – pagkilala na ang lakas ng loob ay kailangang may sapat na lakas ng katawan at pagkilalang ang nagbabantay sa bayan ay dapat may sapat na pagkain at nutrisyon sa araw-araw,” he said.

(We understand that increasing the subsistence allowance of our MUPs is not a luxury or a favor, but a strong form of recognition—recognition that courage requires physical strength, and that those who guard the nation must have adequate food and daily nutrition.)

?Toledo also noted that some P4.06 billion has been earmarked for an additional 10,077 MUPs across various government agencies this year — 1,358 in the AFP; 2,000 in the Philippine National Police (PNP); 2,000 in the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP); 1,000 in the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor); and 1,790 in the Philippine Coast Guard.

“Alam po naming hindi nasusukat sa pera ang serbisyo ninyo pero tungkulin ng gobyerno na siguraduhing hindi kayo napapabayaan at ang sakripisyo ninyo ay may malinaw na pagtanaw ng pasasalamat,” he said.

(We know that your service cannot be measured in money, but it is the government’s duty to ensure that you are not neglected and that your sacrifices are met with clear gratitude.)

Toledo also said that salary increases for current government employees — whether civilian or uniformed — are already included in the budgets of their respective agencies, and were not removed nor postponed.

He noted, however, that while the pensions of uniformed personnel are not affected, those of new retirees covered by optional retirement could be hit.

“Uulitin ko po, ang mga pondong tinutukoy ay hindi binawasan. Iniayos lamang po at inilipat sa mas angkop at mas direktang budgetary allocation,” he said.

(Let me reiterate: the funds in question were not reduced. They were simply reorganized and transferred to more appropriate and more direct budgetary allocations.) --VAL, GMA Integrated News