Marcos says gov't to study reforming soldiers' combat allowance

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. on Monday said the government would study the need to reform the system for the standard combat allowance of soldiers. 

“Pag-aaralan natin ang iba’t ibang sistema sa pagbibigay ng combat pay,” Marcos said during his talk with troops of the 103rd Infantry "Haribon" Brigade under the Philippine Army's 1st Infantry Tabak Division. 

(We will study the system as regards the combat pay.) 

In March of this year, Marcos ordered an increase in the subsistence allowance of military personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. 

During his talk with the soldiers, Marcos listened to the challenges the troops are facing within the 42-hectare military camp, including infrastructure limitations, logistical constraints, and service gaps that affected operations and personnel welfare.
 
Marcos committed to studying long-term solutions, including enhanced health insurance, educational scholarships for soldiers’ children, and support for garbage trucks to aid in camp maintenance.
 
The troops also raised the lack of proper barracks and rest areas, which forced many of them to live in converted facilities.

The unfinished multi-purpose building, which still lacks a roof, and the absence of visitor holding areas also highlighted the immediate need for improved infrastructure within the camp. 

The soldiers also requested enhancements in night fighting capabilities, including night vision goggles and a stronger Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) system. —LDF, GMA Integrated News