CAFGU members to get P7,000 a month for Nov-Dec under EO

Citing their "invaluable assistance" to the military in combating state enemies, President Rodrigo Duterte has approved the grant of financial support to members of the Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU).

Executive Order 69 which he signed on December 4 grants each member of the CAFGU Active Auxiliary (CAA) Service financial support of P7,000 per month, covering the months of November and December 2018.

The EO provides only "duly-appointed CAA members" appearing on the roster maintained by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) are entitled to the cash support which shall be sourced from the 2018 Contingent Fund.

For the succeeding years, the EO mandates the Department of Budget and Management to study and propose measures for the grant of monthly financial support to qualified CAA members as well as identify funding sources.

In approving the cash grant, Duterte cited the CAA units' support to the AFP such as providing vital military intelligence, joining "traditional and non-traditional military operations," securing conflict-affected communities and acting as first responders during natural disasters.

"[T]here is a need to provide financial support to members of the CAA units, in recognition of the invaluable assistance they provide to the AFP in dealing with security threats, their indispensable service in maintaining local peace and order and meeting local insurgencies and the faithful performance of their duties, which they carry out at great risk to themselves and their families," the order stated. 

The EO shall take effect upon publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. — LDF, GMA News