Soldiers of the Bohol-based 47th Infantry Battalion (IB) of the Philippine Army expressed elation over the recently increased combat duty and combat incentive pay for the military and police.
Lieutenant Col. Dodgie Belloga, commander of the 47th IB, told DYRD Balita on Tuesday that the said pay hike will boost morale of military personnel, particularly those in conflict-riddled areas.
President Rodrigo Duterte on September 26 signed executive order (EO) No. 3 which increases the combat and incentive pay of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police to P3,000 per month.
Prior to the pay hike, the AFP personnel were entitled to receive P500 per month in combat pay while policemen could receive a maximum P340 per month.
Under the EO, uniformed personnel of the AFP and the police will be able to receive a combat incentive pay of up to P300 each day when they join operations against insurgents, terrorists and lawless elements.
Belloga noted that the combat duty and incentive and pay hike is a first of its kind.
During his first State of the Nation Address in July, Duterte vowed to augment the benefits of security services, promising also to double salaries by the end of his term. (Rey Tutas)
FOR MOBILE USERS: Scroll down for more of today’s latest news posted below the comment box.