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Lawmaker questions increase in DND's budget for administration of personnel benefits
By ANNA FELICIA BAJO, GMA News ACT Teachers party-list Representative France Castro on Tuesday questioned a significant increase in the proposed allocation of the Department of National Defense (DND) for the administration of its personnel benefits.
"Doon po sa comparison ng budget ng 2020 GAA at saka 2021, mayroon po ditong napakalaking increase na 21,640.70%, ito po 'yung administration of personnel benefits. Puwede bang maipaliwanag ito ng ating Secretary?" Castro said during the budget hearing.
In its proposal for 2021, the DND allocated a total of P235,017,000 for the administration of personnel benefits, which is higher compared to last year’s P1,081,000.
In response, Lorenzana said the increase would be utilized for the DND's hiring of military and civilian personnel, specifically in the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
He also said the amount would be used for the increase in salaries and benefits of soldiers.
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“Pangalawa, second tranche of the salary increase of the civilian personnel authorized by Republic Act No 11466. Pangatlo po ay terminal leave and the retirement gratuity benefits for soldiers who are leaving the service,” he explained.
The DND is proposing a P283.2-billion budget for fiscal year 2021. Of that amount, P208.7 billion are regular funds and P74.5 billion are for the pension for AFP retirees and war veterans.
Lorenzana previously said the bulk of the DND's budget is for personnel services, pensions and operating expenses.
Personnel services include the benefits and salaries of personnel while the maintenance and operating expenses include expenses on travelling, supplies and materials, utility, intelligence, and repairs, among others.
"The AFP gets the lion's share because it is the biggest bureau with 140,000 personnel," Lorenzana told GMA News Online.—AOL, GMA News